Remembering Capt. John Sax’s Passion for Teaching Others to Fly as a CFI

📣 Round 3 Scholarship Notifications Are Out

Honoring the Legacy of Capt. John J. Sax, Marine Corps Aviator

As of today, all Capt. Sax Scholarship recipients from Round 3 have been personally notified of their selection. We’re grateful to welcome new supporters to our community and wanted to take a moment to reaffirm our why – and to share more about Capt. John Sax.

✈️ A Lifelong Love of Aviation

Capt. John J. Sax was a Marine MV-22B Osprey pilot, flying with the “World Famous Purple Foxes” (VMM-364) out of Camp Pendleton, California. A devoted husband, loving father, beloved son, brother, friend, and so much more—to put it simply, to know John is to love John. His passion for the skies began in early childhood, when he first discovered his lifelong dream of becoming a military pilot.

He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at the Prescott campus, where he achieved many of his civilian aviation milestones—from his first solo flight to earning his commercial pilot certificate, instrument rating, and multi-engine rating. John then returned to California to earn his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) credentials and worked as a flight instructor near his hometown while awaiting the opportunity to attend Officer Candidate School with the Marine Corps. He often said he never felt like he was working a day in his life, because he loved helping others achieve their dreams of flying.

💡 The Challenge He Knew All Too Well

John understood firsthand the financial challenges our applicants face. He partially funded his own aviation education through a combination of student loans, student employment, and support from grants and scholarships. As a CFI, he witnessed a familiar challenge with his own students—financial barriers often stood in sharp contrast to the passion and potential of those determined to fly.

🎖️ A Mission That Lives On

After John’s passing in 2022, we came together knowing we could honor his legacy by continuing the work he was so passionate about: carrying forward a spirit of mentorship and helping others take steps toward their aviation dreams.

To every volunteer, board member, supporter, and applicant who has helped us carry his legacy forward—thank you. This foundation has given our love a place to go and has helped ensure that John’s story continues to be written through the lives of our recipients.

To read more about Capt. John Sax, please visit: captsaxfoundation.org/about-john/

Semper Fidelis & Give a Shit
“With All We Do, We Honor Him.”