Captain Jennifer J. Harris, USMC Memorial
Scholarship Name: Captain Jennifer J. Harris, USMC Memorial
Status: CLOSED
Posted Date: February 26, 2020
Due Date: April 30, 2020
Captain Jennifer J. Harris graduated from Swampscott High School in 1996 and from the United States Naval Academy in 2000. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Captain Harris was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, graduated from The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and earned her Wings of Gold on September 13, 2002. She was then assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Training (HMMT) Squadron 164 in Camp Pendleton, CA where she learned to fly the CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter. Upon completing her training, Captain Harris was assigned to the Purple Foxes of HMM-364 and immediately deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom. HMM-364 is a legendary squadron known since the Vietnam War for repeatedly answering the call of duty flying in and out of combat areas where no other helicopter squadron would go because of the danger. During her time in the HMM-364, she attended The Weapons and Tactics Instructor’s Course (WTI), the Marine equivalent to Top Gun training. Captain Harris was the first female pilot in the Purple Foxes Squadron.
Jennifer’s commitment to service was most evident in her decision to serve our country. As a Marine, she combined this commitment with her sense of compassion to be one of the best CH-46 pilots in the Marine Corps. She performed her military duties as a Casualty Evacuation pilot flying in and out of combat areas for the emergency evacuation of injured soldiers and Iraqi citizens, saving a countless number of lives.
Captain Harris served three tours of duty in Iraq and was killed in action on February 7, 2007 when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down.
Decisions will be based on a transcript of your high school grades for senior year (to date) and junior year (full year), an essay judged on the quality of writing, awards and recognition, and extracurricular and community service activities. The judges shall disregard race, sex, age, color of skin, and any other factor that may constitute discrimination. All Scholarship Committee decisions are final. The student must be a graduating high school senior and be planning to attend a state or nationally accredited two or four year college or university.
For more information, click Honorable Few
For an application, click Captain Harris