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.