Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Featured in “NCIS” Tribute To Late Actor David McCallum
McCallum’s support led to MCSF mentions in multiple episodes
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Feb 20, 2024) – The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF), a national nonprofit providing educational scholarships to the children of Marines, today announced that it was featured as part of the plot in the February 19 “NCIS” tribute episode honoring late actor David McCallum. At the start of the episode when the team learns that their retired colleague Donald “Ducky” Mallard has died, it is mentioned that the family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. As the episode reaches its conclusion, the daughter of the Marine featured in the story is told that she is being awarded with a college scholarship from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.
The last remaining original cast member after 20 seasons, David McCallum passed away in September 2023. Renowned for his roles as the chief medical examiner on the CBS crime series, and decades ago as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” series, McCallum was very involved with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. His family has been active on the board of directors and the family established a scholarship in memory of McCallum’s brother-in-law, Marine Corporal George Whitney Carpenter, who was killed in the Vietnam War in 1967.
As an advocate for veterans, McCallum went beyond his personal financial contributions to MCSF and played a pivotal role in raising awareness for their mission of providing educational opportunities to the children of Marines. He worked with the show’s writers to weave mentions of MCSF into “NCIS” episodes. When it came time to write the tribute episode, the writers included the nonprofit once again since it was such an important part of McCallum’s life.
“The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation remains grateful for the enduring impact of David McCallum and his family,” said Ted Probert, Lieutenant Colonel USMC (Ret.) and current president and CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. “Their financial support and push for awareness give us a tremendous boost in pursuit of our goal to reach even more families and award more scholarships year after year.”
The actor’s wife, Katherine Carpenter, previously served on MCSF’s Board of Directors, and his son, Peter McCallum, currently serves on the Board. In honor of McCallum’s life, his family has directed further donations to the organization.
“As my grandfather and uncle were Marines, military causes have always been a major priority throughout our family,” said Peter McCallum, son of David McCallum and current board member for the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. “The passion and dedication demonstrated by my parents led me to serving on the MCSF Board of Directors, a role I continue to cherish.”
MCSF’s mission is to honor Marines by providing scholarships for their children attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs. For the 2023-2024 academic year, MCSF awarded $10.8 million in scholarships to 2,758 children of Marines nationwide — the largest number of scholarships and highest dollar amount ever awarded in one year in its more than 60-year history.
To honor Marines in David’s memory, please visit www.mcsf.org/david
About The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation:
Established in 1962, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is the Nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children. Since its inception, the Scholarship Foundation has provided over 55,000 scholarships valued at more than $200 million to the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen. Recipients are from all 50 states, in addition to 18 overseas bases and U.S. territories. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation has earned an Accredited Charity rating from the Better Business Bureau, 4/4 stars from Charity Navigator, and GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency. For more information on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, please visit www.mcsf.org.
CONTACT:
Eric Hammond | Maroon PR | 443-614-9456 | Eric@MaroonPR.com
Emma Hottel | Maroon PR | 410-739-8242 | EmmaH@MaroonPR.com