Scholarship

In June 1991, the VVA Chapter 526 Board of Directors voted to participate in the annual scholarship award program offered through Culver City High School.  The scholarship was initially offered to a graduating senior who had a parent who was a Vietnam War era veteran of the U.S. armed forces.  Thereafter, as that initial generation of children matriculated through the school system, the criteria was amended to also offer the scholarship to a graduating senior who had a parent who was a veteran of the U.S. armed forces.

On 19 December 2003, the scholarship was renamed as the Eugene “Gene” Partyka Memorial Scholarship in honor of Gene Partyka, a decorated U.S. Navy combat aviator and former President of VVA Chapter 526.  Born on 2 November 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, Gene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Michigan Technological University, registered with the Selective Service System on 5 November 1956 and thereafter enlisted in the US Navy on 4 October 1961.  Gene rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and became a McDonald Douglas Phantom [F-4] fighter jet Radar Intercept Officer [RIO] (call sign “Dakota”) and completed two [2] combat tours of duty including 174 combat missions during the Vietnam War while flying off the aircraft carriers USS Intrepid [CVS-11], USS Ranger [CVA-61] and USS Constellation [CVA-64] with Fighter Squadron VF-142 [the “Ghostriders”] of the Navy’s 7th Fleet.  Gene’s military awards and decorations included, but are not limited to, the following:

Distinguished Flying Cross [2 Awards], Air Medal [12 Awards], Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” for Valor, Navy Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for Valor, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal [2 Awards], Navy Unit Citation [2 Awards], Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60’s Device.

Following his release from the Navy on 30 September 1969, Gene completed his master’s degree from the University of Southern California [USC] and then became a leading member of Laserium, a nationally recognized laser light show headquartered in Los Angeles.  Gene also served as a member and officer of VVA Chapter 526 – including multiple terms as Chapter President and Chapter Newsletter Editor – until his death at the age of 62 on 26 November 2000.  Gene’s courage, spirit and love for country remain in all of us who knew him – and those attributes are passed on annually to the selected scholarship winner.

VVA Chapter 526 remains committed to continue its participation in the annual scholarship program so as to recognize and financially support a most deserving high school graduate from the Culver City community.  To continue this scholarship, the Chapter welcomes all financial donations which should be mailed to the following address:

Vietnam Veterans Of America – Chapter 526 / West Los Angeles

Post Office Box #1442

Culver City, California

90232-1442

Students at Culver City High School and Continuation School are encouraged to apply for the VVA Chapter 526 scholarship by contacting the school’s administrative office.