ORONO – Johnny Morse of Scarborough and Bridget Regner of Gresham, Ore., have distinguished themselves by four years of leadership and service in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Maine. Morse and Regner have been honored for their achievements with the highest awards bestowed by the Black Bear Battalion.

Morse was selected for the George C. Marshall Award for the most outstanding cadet in the battalion and the Charles Anthony Rice Award for the cadet who has been distinguished by outstanding military and academic achievements. Regner was selected for the Capt. Edward P. Barrows Award for the cadet who has been distinguished by service to the ROTC department and UMaine.

The George C. Marshall Award is presented to the most outstanding graduating cadet in each ROTC battalion in the nation. Morse received the award at a ceremony on April 17 at the Virginia Military Institute that was attended by President Bush.

The Charles Anthony Rice Award is in memory of Rice, UMaine Class of 1917, who died in a British Expeditionary Hospital in France as the result of a wound received in action in the Argonne Forest. The Capt. Edward P. Barrows Award is in memory of Barrows, Class of 1942.

Morse also received an American Legion gold medal for military excellence from American Legion Post 84 in Orono. Regner received a medal and cash award for the cadet who excels in the field of nursing from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Post 3381 in Old Town and the U.S. Automobile Association Spirit Award for the MS IV cadet who best embodies service to unit, community and nation.

“Johnny and Bridget provided guidance and leadership for all the cadets,” says Michael Olsen, a retiring senior enlisted instructor at UM. “They were examples of what all the cadets should strive to be.”

Morse served as battalion commander and Regner was the battalion’s executive officer.

“Johnny was selected for that position based on his leadership ability and understanding and demonstration of army values – loyalty, duty, respect for others, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

“Bridget kept morale high with her motivation and excitement and did a lot of behind the scenes work. They both have demonstrated strong character and the Army values in the battalion,” Olsen says.

Morse, a Scarborough High School graduate, enlisted in the Army immediately after high school. After a year and a half, he received the Army’s Green to Gold full-tuition scholarship to attend UMaine. After UMaine graduation, Morse, a business marketing major, will return to the Army as a second lieutenant for four years of active service. He will train this summer in Oklahoma but is uncertain where he will be stationed after that.

Regner, a nursing major, will be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

Morse was a member of the Senior Skulls, played rugby for three years, served as president of the 20th Maine Honor Society and was a resident assistant for three years.

Regner was president of the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, the 20th Maine Honor Society, All-Maine Women, the vice president of Sophomore Eagles, the Color Guard commander and was a resident assistant for two years. She also wrote a biweekly column for UMaine’s student newspaper, the Maine Campus, detailing her experiences as an ROTC cadet.

The Black Bear Battalion presented other awards as follows:

Department of the Army Superior Cadet Awards, for outstanding academic achievement in ROTC and other university courses, seniors: Virginia Catlin, juniors: Paul Bosse, sophomores: Matthew Coutu, first-year students: Chad Wright.

Association of the U.S. Army Award, for the junior cadet who is distinguished by leadership, high academic standing and advancing the military science department at UMaine: Matthew Gill.

Maine Department of the Reserve Association Gold Medal: Brian Burbank.

Maine Department of the Reserve Association Silver Medal: Jessica Campbell.

Maine Department of the Reserve Association Bronze Medal: Katlyn Shagory.

American Legion Post 84 Orono Gold Medal for Military Excellence: Johnny Morse.

American Legion Silver Medal for Military Excellence: Jason Pyska.

American Legion Gold Medal for Scholastic Excellence: Virginia Catlin.

American Legion Silver Medal for Scholastic Excellence: Knud Hermansen.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Old Town Post 3381 award for excellence in academic and military subjects: Paul Bosse.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. award for excellence in the field of nursing: Bridget Regner.

American Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam Award, for diligence in the discharge of duty: Matthew Hamilton.

Sojourners Award for Americanism: Dustin Gamache.

Maine Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Award, for leadership, soldierly bearing and military excellence: Brian Williams.

Military Order of the World Wars Gold Medal for improvement in military and scholastic studies: Erik Gray.

Military Order of the World Wars Silver Medal: Jordon Hon.

Military Order of the World Wars Bronze Medal: James McCann.

National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Award, for loyalty, patriotism, good character, military discipline and leadership: Stephanie Dubay.

Maine Chapter of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America Award, for excellence in military history, potential for leadership and reflecting the ideas of patriotism: Ryan Dougherty.

Green Mountain Chapter of the Retired Officers’ Association’s General Douglas MacArthur Certificate, for academic achievement and outstanding leadership potential: Gregory Gobel.

Green Mountain Chapter of the Retired Officers’ Association Award, for potential for military leadership: Jason Pyska.

Pine Tree Chapter of the Retired Officers’ Association Award, for aptitude for military service: P. Benjamin Taylor.

Maine National Guard Association Award, for service as a basic course cadet: Nehemiah Nattress.

General Society of the War of 1812 Award, for achievement in studies and distinguished attainment in the ROTC program: Joseph Knowlton.

Southern Maine Chapter of the Retired Officers’ Association Leadership Excellence Pen Set: Aaron Flagg.

94th Regional Support Command Headquarters at Ayer, Mass., Senior Award, for military skills, academic accomplishment and strong character: Virginia Catlin.

94th Regional Support Command Junior Award: Brian Burbank.

Association of Old Crows, Patriots’ Roost Chapter, Educational Foundation Scholarship: David Hoyt.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. Bangor Post 1761 Award, for academic and military excellence: Jessica Campbell.

U.S. Automobile Association Spirit Award, for the MS IV cadet who best embodies service to unit, community and nation: Bridget Regner.

Society of American Military Engineers, Piscataqua Post, Award, for outstanding achievements of a military science student: Matthew Gill.