Honorary Scholarships

COL(R) Richard W. Ellison

COL(R) Richard Ellison, MD joined the Army in 1984 as a private and again in 1994 after finishing medical school at the medical College of Georgia. He completed his internship at Eisenhower Army Medical Center and general surgery residency at Brooke Army Medical Center. Between his internship and residency he served with the 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) as a Battalion Surgeon. COL(R) Ellison served a distinguished military career. 

His career highlights include: 3 combat tours in Iraq one tour as the MNSTC-i surgeon, 3 combat tours in Afghanistan one as the 759th FST Commander, 18th Airborne Crops Surgeon, Joint Task Force Surgeon-Haiti, Chief of Surgery Womack Army Medical Center. COL(R) awards include a Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, 4-Bronze Stars, 2-MSMs, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Flight Surgeon, Master Parachutist, Combat Scuba Diver. He retired from active duty in 2015 and continued his life of service as a general surgeon until his death in 2022.

As part of the Merit scholarship program the Airborne Scholarship Association is privileged to administer three named scholarships as part of the merit based scholarship program. These scholarships honor former military members who have given selflessly in service to the nation and have made indelible and positive impacts on their communities. These individuals stand as shining examples of the limitless possibilities a good education can provide. We are truly honored to be able to assist in continuing the legacy of COL(R) Richard W. Ellison, MD, Mr. Charles Lee Guy, and Major(R) Al Woodall.

Eligibility ​

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There is no separate application for these scholarships. All merit applications will be reviewed and considered for these awards. The ASA Scholarship Committee will determine which applicants will receive the Honorary Scholarships. There will be one recipient per award each application period.

Charles Lee Guy Jr. 

Charles Lee Guy Jr. was an airborne paratrooper in WW II serving gallantly during Operation Overlord - The Invasion of Normandy. Following his service in uniform Mr. Guy continued to serve his community as a lawyer and Judge.

To honor his distinguished service to our country the Airborne Scholarship Association Scholarship (ASA) will award one or more
merit-based scholarships in his name each year. These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the Guy Family and the Stars & Stripes Celebrity Golf Invitational.

​​​ MAJ(R) Al Woodall II

Major(R) AL Woodall II was born during WW II. He joined the US Army in 1963 and received an appointment as a commissioned officer in 1967. Served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sep) as a rifle platoon leader and Special Forces Group as a detachment commander, both tours in combat, and was assigned to the Army Security Agency, Japan; EUSA/UNC, Korea ,1st, 5th, 10 SFG(ABN), 35th Signal Brigade, USAJFKSWC, USASOC and XVIII Airborne Corps.  His brother was KIA in Viet Nam.

Major(R) Woodall is a graduate of Airborne school, Special Forces Officer’s Course, Ranger School, Pathfinder School, US State Dept. Korean language school, and the Infantry Officers Advanced Course. MAJ Woodall was awarded the Bronze Star Medal  w/oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. He is a certified FAA commercial pilot and a multiengine land flight instructor. After 27 years in the US Army, he served for 23 years as a Department of the Army civilian on Simmons Army Airfield, Ft Bragg, NC in the capacity of Flight Operations leader.

He is the author of the book titled “Eclectic: Realism” and several magazine articles. His higher discipline is in Aviation Management.His avocations are gardening, flying, equity investing, watching 1930/40s movies, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. The individuals he most admires are Benjamin Franklin, his sister Bianca and deceased father.
“Education, a healthy lifestyle and patriotism will illuminate your pathway towards perfection” by Woodall