The Michael P. Getlin Scholarship
Outstanding Applicant of the Year
BACKGROUND
In addition to our regular scholarship programs, The Captain Michael P. Getlin Scholarship is a special $10,000 award presented annually to the most outstanding applicant of the year. In addition to meeting general eligibility requirements, recipients are selected based on exceptional achievement, meaningful leadership, impactful service, resilience in the face of adversity, and strong personal character. This scholarship honors Captain Getlin’s legacy of courage, integrity, and commitment by recognizing a student who demonstrates not just promise, but the character and initiative to make a lasting positive impact. This scholarship is made possible through the generous support of William P. Scully who was a good friend of Captain Getlin’s and a fraternity brother at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Michael P. Getlin Scholarship is a need-base, competitive scholarship that requires the applicant to declare his/her intention to compete for the scholarship. Applying for this scholarship will be done through the foundation’s application portal where the applicant will receive instructions specific to the Michael P. Getlin Scholarship.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
In addition to our regular qualification requirements, Outstanding Applicant candidates will be evaluated based on the following:
- Noteworthy Achievements: Qualifying achievements may include academic, athletic, or any other achievements you believe we should considered
- Leadership or Mentorship: Your school, community, or personal projects that have resulted in positive impact
- Community Service: Depth, commitment, and your effect on others
- Creativity / Extracurricular Activities: Artistic, technical, or unique accomplishments that we should consider
- Overcoming Hardships and Exceptional Challenges: Illustrations of courage and determination
- Future Vision and Potential: Goals, ambition, and values that illustrate your character
- References: Two reference letters from people who can tell us about who you are
TRIBUTE BY JACK RILEY
(Jack Riley received the Purple Heart and Silver Star at the Battle of Getlin’s Corner)
I knew Mike Getlin well, and I am proud to have fought with him on that terrible and difficult day. I left his side when he ordered me to organize a counterattack against the strong enemy force that was attacking our company command post.
The Skipper appeared to be bleeding heavily but refused further assistance. He remained calm and rational during my contact with him. I saw him display courage I had never seen before in battle. He stood confidently, firing his shotgun as I moved away with the counterattack. He refused to leave a position where wounded Marines remained behind him. His shotgun barrel had mushroomed like a banana peel, but he kept firing it anyway. He was the bravest man I ever witnessed in battle and should have received the Medal of Honor instead of the Navy Cross.
Mike wasn’t our company commander for long, but he was truly special. During my 13-month tour in Vietnam, I was wounded three times, and I served under ten different company commanders. Mike Getlin demonstrated a level of leadership that noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Marines alike respected. He cared about his men, praying for them because he knew we would face a determined enemy intent on killing us. He wanted us to be as prepared as possible. The burden of leadership is heavy in war. Mike Getlin had a gift of communication that he used to make every Marine he talked to feel appreciated and valued. I am a better man today because I was blessed to have known Mike Getlin. Not many days go by that I do not think of both Mike Getlin and John Bobo.