Military news
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on December 4, 2005 2:03 AM
Sgt. William Rich, formerly of Wayne County, was awarded the Purple Heart by Lt. Col. Elmontenal C. Allens during a recent ceremony at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Va.
Sgt. Rich was injured on Aug. 23 when a suicide bomber infiltrated a patrol facility in Bagdad and blew himself up in the dining area. Rich was wounded on his second tour in Iraq, where he supervised American soldiers and Iraqi policemen.
Sgt. Rich is currently assigned with the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Benning, Ga.
He is the son of Charisee Gordon.
Army Pvt. Gregory R. Brown has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experiencing use of various weapons and weapons defenses available to the infantry crewman.
He is the son of Sue Eason of Dudley and a 1992 graduate of Charles B. Aycock High School.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joe L. Terrell is currently deployed overseas at a forward operating location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is an information management supervisor regularly assigned to the 729th Air Control Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah.
He is a 1980 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School and the grandson of Mattie M. Terrell of Goldsboro and the late retired Chief Master Sgt. Joe L. Terrell.
Army Reserve Pfc. Waileung H. Lam has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
He is the son of Wochiu Lam of Goldsboro and a graduate of Wayne Community College.
Air Force Airman 1st Class Jennifer D. Collins has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Collins is the daughter of Rhonda Vanhook and Joseph Collins of Lee Drive, both of Goldsboro, and a 2002 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School.
Airman 1st Class Benjamin M. Richard has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Richard is the son of Vince and Sue Richard of Goldsboro and a 2005 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School.
Kevin S. Birkin has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station. The recruit also qualifies for a $20,000 enlistment bonus.
Birkin, a 2003 graduate of Southern Wayne High School, Dudley, N.C., will report to Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., for active duty on January 11, 2006.
Miquell R. McKoy has joined the United States Army under the Delayed Entry Program. The program gives young men and women the opportunity to delay entering active duty for up to one year.
The enlistment gives the new soldier the option to learn a new skill, travel and become eligible to receive as much as $50,000 toward a college education. After completion of basic military training, soldiers receive advanced individual training in their career job specialty prior to being assigned to their first permanent duty station.
McKoy, a 2003 graduate of Eastern Wayne High School, has reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for active duty. He is the son of Monique Y. McKoy of Goldsboro and Howard B. Pittman of Fayetteville.
Marine Corps Pvt. Jose F. Vega, the son of Rosa I. and Rosario Vega of Dudley, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Vega and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values: honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. The training phase ended with "The Crucible," a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time.
Marine Corps Pvt. Jameril L. White, a 2005 graduate of North Lenoir High School, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
White and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values: honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. The training phase with "The Crucible," a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time.
Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Detrick R. Harris, son of Sadie M. Harris of Goldsboro and Jerry T. Harris of Tarboro, recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.
Harris and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps' core values--honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct. The training phase ended with "The Crucible," a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as "Marines" for the first time.