Navy SEAL Museum Ft. Pierce
Ernest J. Litty Scholarship Fund

Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund

The Litty family founded the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Foundation, effective the 2021-2022 academic year. Created to honor their parents who were passionate about education and self-betterment, the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund offers financial support to the dependents of active Navy SEAL and Naval Special Warfare support personnel (SWCC, EOD, Navy Diver) and their families who are seeking a private preschool education, as well as private education for children Kindergarten through 12th grade.

The mission of the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund is to support Navy SEAL families by filling in academic financial gaps for private education and granting student tuition awards based on financial need.

Applicants must reapply each spring to be considered for the academic year beginning the same fall. You can join this important outreach by donating on our support page.

Ernest J. Litty Scholarship Fund

The 2024 Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund Application

The mission of the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Foundation is to support Navy families by filling in academic financial gaps for private education and granting student tuition awards based on financial need.

Ernest J. Litty was born in Brainard Nebraska on June 21, 1922. He joined the Navy as a seaman in 1939 and was serving on the USS Phoenix (CL-46) during the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and its subsequent convoy seeking enemy craft in the surrounding waters. The Phoenix was the last ship to depart Pearl Harbor and the first to return after the attack. Shortly afterward, he was admitted into the United States Naval Academy on an academic scholarship where he excelled in both Lacrosse and Basketball as a four time All-American. He was later inducted into the Lacrosse Hall of Fame. While at the USNA he met Dorothy Suzanne Lentz, a local Annapolitan, whom he married the day after graduation in 1946. They had four children, Jay, Chris, Donna, and Michael.

His class was pulled from the Academy in their 3rd year and sent to the Pacific Theater where he served in the South China Sea aboard six ships during his deployment. He was awarded four war medals. He was honorably discharged on September 5, 1947.

His admission into The United States Naval Academy and service during World War II were points of pride for him. He would attend class reunions and Pearl Harbor memorial events throughout his life. He credits the opportunity given him by the Navy with his later success in business, socially and as a husband and father.

Ernest was very involved in his four children’s schooling and athletic interests and an advocate for their education and that of his grandchildren. He settled with his family in Severna Park, Maryland as a business owner and community leader.

His family would like to perpetuate his memory by creating this scholarship fund to enable the children of Navy SEAL families to attend the school of their choosing during their developing years.

Ernest J. Litty

Ernest J. Litty

2022-2023 Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund Award Recipients

This year, Ernest J. Litty. Jr. and his devoted family created a scholarship to honor his parents, the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund. They have generously provided support for deserving students for private school from Preschool through 12th Grade, as well as helping fund college tuition. The Navy SEAL Museum cannot thank Jay and Ginny Litty enough for their commitment to academia and this outreach. Congratulations to our 2022-2023 Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund recipients.

First Name School
Fareedah Norfolk Academy
Sydney Academy of Our Lady of Peace
Genevieve Atlantic Shores Christian School
Evelyn Saint Gregory The Great
Gwen Saint Gregory The Great
June Saint Gregory The Great
Kirin St. Augustine High School
Theodore Loch Meadow Kindergarten
Violet Loch Meadow Kindergarten
Levi Home School
Ryan Jr. Home School
Knox Oceanview Christian Academy
Audrey Greenbrier Christian Academy
Elyse Greenbrier Christian Academy
Olivia Greenbrier Christian Academy
Isla Kinder Mission
Lachlan Kinder Mission
Gemma St. Charles Catholic
Kalena Island Pacific Academy
Kupono Island Pacific Academy
Jasper Whole Life Learning Center
Eden Ocean View Christian Academy
Maximilian Ocean View Christian Academy
Piper Ocean View Christian Academy
Madelyn St. Gregory the Great School
Patrick St. Gregory the Great School
Christopher St. John the Apostle Catholic
Talia St. John the Apostle Catholic
Ronan Ocean View Christian Academy
Sienna Oceanview Christian Academy
Alexis Coastal Christian Academy
Aiden Rollingwood Academy
Griffin Rollingwood Academy
Zebedee St. Katherine Drexel Academy
Blakely Norfolk Christian School
Reagan Norfolk Christian School
Carson St. James Lutheran Preschool
Ava Christ Church Day School
Cindy St. Matthew Catholic School
Jennifer St. Matthew Catholic School
Kevin Catholic High School
Kianna Catholic High School
Alexis Greenbrier Christian Academy
Bryn Greenbrier Christian Academy
Luke Greenbrier Christian Academy
Mila Trinity Christian School
Avery Whole Life Learning Center
Addison Catholic High School
Harper Catholic High School
Adelynn Heartland Christian Academy
Thomas Maranatha Christian School
David Mother of Divine THEO Home
Grace St. Mark Catholic School
Johnathan Mother of Divine THEO Home
Corbin Ocean View Christian Academy
Lucie Sacred Heart Parish School
Owen Sacred Heart Parish School
Damian School of the Madeleine
Lennox School of the Madeleine
Maximus Ocean View Christian Academy
Ellie Redeemer by the Sea Lutheran
Gabreella Heartland Christian Academy
Colette St. John the Apostle Catholic School