Awards Program

Captain David J. Lueder, USMC, Merit Scholarship

Capt David J. Lueder piloted a UH-1N Huey helicopter which crashed during night qualification training from the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in July 1986. He is presumed dead. Dave was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1979. He held various Battalion positions including the Commanding Officer of the Navy Drill Team.

The award was established in April 2014 by the Board of Directors; they believed the awards given would have more meaning if they were associated with a Wall of Honor alum.

Scholarship or College Program Battalion members in good standing who are Midshipman 3/C or senior with a of GPA 3.0 or better and nominated by the Professor of Naval Science are eligible for this award. The Professor of Naval Science approves the selection.

The award is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a Lueder family member if possible.

Lieutenant Commander John S. Lyman Merit Scholarship

LCDR John Lyman perished on 10 April 1963 onboard the USS Thresher (SSN 593) during the submarine’s fatal deep-diving exercise off the coast of Boston. He remains on eternal patrol. John was commissioned in 1953.

The award was established in April 2014 by the Board of Directors; they believed the awards given would have more meaning if they were associated with a Wall of Honor alum.

College Program Battalion members in good standing who are Midshipman 3/C or senior with a GPA 3.0 or better and nominated by the Professor of Naval Science are eligible for this award. The Professor of Naval Science approves the selection

The award is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a Lyman family member if possible.

Financial Aid Grant

The grant was established in April 2014 by the Board of Directors as an all-purpose award.

A Financial Aid Grant may be given to a Battalion Member, in good standing, who is a Midshipman 3/C or senior, Scholarship or College Program student and has a documented financial hardship or emergency and nominated and approved by the Professor of Naval Science.

The award may be given during the NROTC Awards Ceremony, or, in the case of a financial emergency, at such time that the Professor of Naval Science deems appropriate.

Freshman Spirit Award

The Freshman Spirit Award was created by LTJG Erdman Pankow, USNR (Ret.) who served in World War II in the South Pacific as a Navy Black Cat PBY and PBM pilot. He was involved with the Unit for decades before his death and considered it a privilege and honor to present an annual award to a deserving freshman. His son, Mark Pankow continues the annual sponsorship of the award.

The award is open to Battalion 4/C Midshipman. Selection should be based on their volunteerism, leadership, and Unit participation. Final approval by Professor of Naval Science, UW Madison

The award is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a Pankow family member if possible.

Commander William T. Arnold Award

On 8 November 1966, Lieutenant Commander LCDR William Tamm Arnold, flying as wingman in an A-4C Skyhawk aircraft, crashed during a coastal weather reconnaissance mission near Cap Mui Ron, Vietnam. His body was not recovered. Bill was in the class of 1963.

The award was established in 1999 by Bill and Lois Arnold as a memorial to their son. Currently, Bill's sisters, Suzanne Redenius and Jane Kirkpatrick, fund the award with an annual contribution.

1st Class Midshipman who are aviator selectees and recommended by the Assistant Professor of Naval Science-Aviation Lieutenant are eligible for the award. Additional considerations include their participation in the Aviator Club and their ASTB Score. Final approval by the Professor of Naval Science.

The award is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a family member if possible.

Norman K. Billipp Award

Maj (posthumously) Norman K. Billipp, USMC was a dedicated Marine whose plane was shot down over Quanq Tri on May 6, 1969. During his eight months in Vietnam, he flew 265 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as other numerous citations. He was in the Class of 1966.

Established in 2021 by a Ross M. and Michele M. Annable Foundation endowment which ensures an award at a present-day value of $2,500 in perpetuity. The award honors a classmate.

The Norman K. Billipp Award is open to rising first-class midshipman, fifth year midshipman or first-class midshipman committed to the Marine Corps. The selection criteria for the awards will include consideration of scholastic achievement, personal leadership, sociability, community involvement and financial need. The Professor of Naval Science will approve the selection board-nominated individual.

The award is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony.

Colonel Stephen R. Dinauer Award

Colonel Stephen R. Dinauer, Class of 1986, a career infantry officer decorated with the Bronze Star (with Valor Device), led Marine units from the platoon to the battalion levels. His combat experience included combat tours in Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and the Iraq Campaign in 2004-2005. Other tours included Marine Barracks, Embassy duty and as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict.

The award was established in 2022 by Bill Kirkpatrick. Bill, graduated from UW-Madison in 1989 and is a part of a multigenerational family of Badgers. In this award he honors the Marines, Wisconsinites, and his dear friend and role model, Steve. Bill is the nephew of Commander William Tamm Arnold, Class of 1963, who was lost on a mission over North Vietnam in 1966 and remains on the list of U.S. Unaccounted-For from the Vietnam War. CDR Arnold is on the Association’s Wall of Honor. Mr. Kirkpatrick funds the award with an annual contribution.

1st Class Midshipmen designated as a Marine Option graduating in the award year (May through December) and recommended by the Marine Officer Instructor are eligible for the award. Additional considerations include their participation in the Badger Battalion. Final approval by the Professor of Naval Science.

The award, which includes a sword, is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a Kirkpatrick or Dinauer family member if possible.

LT Mitch Pulver Award

Mitch Pulver, a Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native served our nation 2012-2021 as a Surface Warfare Officer after graduating from the United States Naval Academy. He served aboard USS DECATUR (DDG-73), instructed at the Naval Academy, and then served in the Naval Reserves. Mitch is extremely honored to be associated with the UW NROTC and the award created by his uncle in honor of his Naval Service.

The award was established in 2022 by Bill Kirkpatrick. Bill graduated from UW-Madison in 1989 and is a part of a multigenerational family of Badgers. In this award he honors the Surface Navy, Wisconsinites, and his nephew Mitch. Bill is the nephew of Commander William Tamm Arnold, Class of 1963, who was lost on a mission over North Vietnam in 1966 and remains on the list of U.S. Unaccounted-For from the Vietnam War. CDR Arnold is on the Association’s Wall of Honor. Mr. Kirkpatrick funds the award with an annual contribution.

1st Class Midshipmen who are surface warfare selectees graduating in the award year (May through December) and recommended by the Assistant Professor of Naval Science-Surface Warfare Lieutenant are eligible for the award. Additional considerations include their participation in the Badger Battalion. Final approval by the Professor of Naval Science.

The award, which includes a sword, is given during the annual NROTC Awards Ceremony by a Kirkpatrick family member if possible.