Duke Carrillo Foundation

The Duke Carrillo Foundation was established in March, 2020 in Flower Mound, Texas to honor the legacy of United States Naval Academy midshipman Duke Carrillo. Duke grew up in Flower Mound and wanted more than anything to join the U.S. Navy, become a naval aviator, and eventually pursue a career in professional aviation. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Gerald Carrillo, a captain for United Parcel Service, and he wanted to achieve his goals alongside his brothers - his twin Dylan, and their younger brother, Jake. 

On the morning of February 8, 2020, everything changed in a moment. Duke, in his second year at the USNA, was completing the running portion of the Physical Readiness Test, and he collapsed due to sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. Duke’s parents, Gerald and Jennifer, and his brothers were left trying to make sense of the senseless and come to terms with Duke’s unfulfilled dreams when the idea came to them to establish a foundation in his name and support other young people whose dream is to have a career in professional aviation. From that original seed that was planted in the aftermath of tragedy, a thriving foundation has grown. In its second year, the foundation awarded six scholarships to college bound seniors from Duke’s alma mater, Flower Mound High School. The following year, it awarded eight scholarships expanding out to the entirety of Lewisville Independent School District. 

Now in its fourth year, with the help of generous donors like you, the foundation has begun to fulfill its mission of financially supporting and offering mentorship to individuals who wish to pursue a career in professional aviation. In 2024, the foundation awarded five Fly For Duke scholarships to high school students across the United States who are actively working towards their private pilot license. In addition to financial support, the foundation has professional pilots from all walks of the aviation industry to provide mentorship throughout the journey to becoming a professional pilot. These mentors are there to support, encourage and share their experiences from their long careers in aviation with Fly For Duke recipients. 

Duke’s extraordinary life was cut short, and he was unable to fulfill his dream of graduating from the United States Naval Academy, becoming a naval aviator and a professional pilot. The foundation is committed to honoring Duke by supporting as many future pilots as possible who will Fly For Duke. 

Please join us in fulfilling the mission of the Duke Carrillo Foundation and honoring Duke’s legacy by donating today. You never know - one day you may board a flight and in the cockpit will be a pilot who is Flying For Duke!