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HomeNewsArchivesMILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS - FEBRUARY 2004

MILITARY NEWS OF VIRGIN ISLANDERS – FEBRUARY 2004

Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see separate files in this section.
Please e-mail information about yourself or any family member serving in these regards to source@viaccess.net. Provide the individual's full name, age, rank, service branch or organization, home island, immediate family members in the Virgin Islands, brief description of education and training, and, if possible, a description of where the person is based or has been deployed. Please limit the information to about 200 words. We welcome photos.
Navy Officer Dwayne C. Richardson / St. Thomas
Feb. 27, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Dwayne C. Richardson, son of Eva E. Rogers of St. Thomas and Calvin W. Richardson of St. Thomas, recently reported for duty aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood, homeported in San Diego.
Richardson is a 2000 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School.
Navy Airman Reuben B. Lawrence Jr. / St. Thomas
Feb. 27, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Reuben B. Lawrence, Jr., a 1992 graduate of Antilles High School, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Lawrence completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the fleet. "Battle Stations" has been designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly 'Navy' flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Army SPC. James Marshall Nanton / St. Croix
Feb. 26, 2004 (family communication) – Army SPC. James Marshall Nanton, 23, was born on St. Croix to James and Katherine Nanton. He attended high school at the St. Croix Educational Complex School/Vocational School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 16, 1999. Upon completion of Advanced Individual Training, he went to Fort Hood, Texas, where he was assigned to B CO 4th Forward Support Battalion, where he worked as a 52D10. At Fort Hood he met his wife, Quintina Simpson-Nanton. They have a son, Davlin-James, and daughter, Dae'Tian.
He then proceeded to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where he was assigned to B CO 172nd Support Battalion. He is currently serving on the Critical Repair Team in
Fort Wainwright, with the rank of E-4.
Army National Guard Pvt. Latoya N. John
Feb. 26, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Latoya N. John has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
A 2002 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, John is the daughter of Vaslite John of Estate Work and Rest, St. Croix.
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.
She earned distinction as an honor graduate.
Air National Guard Airman Aaron Gadd / St. Croix
Feb. 26, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air National Guard Airman Aaron K. Gadd has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Gadd, a 2001 graduate of The Manor School, Christiansted, is the son of Judith Gadd of LaGrande Princesse.
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.
Army Pvt. Ion Douglas / St. Thomas
Feb. 26, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Pvt. Ion K. Douglas has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Douglas, a 1996 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, is the son of Pearline Douglas of Hidden Valley, St. Thomas.
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.
Army Pfc. Jmail George / St. Croix
Feb. 23, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Pfc. Jmail George has graduated from the intelligence and electronic warfare intercept systems repairer course at Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista, Ariz.
A 2002 graduate of St. Croix Educational Complex High School, he is the son of Joan B. and stepson of Barthelmy Clarke of Stoney Ground, Frederiksted
The course is designed to train soldiers to maintain high, very-high, ultra-high and microwave frequency receivers; process and store equipment, computer peripherals, antennas, modulators, signal monitors, and directional-finding equipment associated with electronic warfare/intercept systems; test, troubleshoot, and repair electrical and mechanical equipment using meters, scopes, signal generators, analyzers, diagrams, logic and flow charts, schematics, and other measurement and diagnostic equipment.
Army Spec. Joseph J. Fulgence / St. Croix
Feb. 23, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Spec. Joseph J. Fulgence has graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga., with authorization to wear the distinctive Ranger Tab. A graduate of the Ranger course is the epitome of the U.S. infantryman.
A 2000 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, Fulgence is the son of Connie M. Browne of Sunny Isle, St. Croix.
He is an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Hinesville, Ga. He has two years of military service.
During the 61-day Ranger course, he proved that he could successfully accomplish all required tasks during the three phases of training. The course is designed to assess and develop military skills, physical and mental endurance, stamina, and confidence of the soldier to successfully accomplish small-unit combat missions. The training is tough, rugged, strenuous, and realistic, and is conducted in three terrains: wooded, mountainous, and jungle-swamp. The soldier is trained to withstand the stresses of combat and overcome all obstacles to accomplish the mission under any circumstance or situation. The Ranger is trained to properly sustain himself and his subordinates, and maintain equipment under difficult field conditions during simulated combat operations; develop combat functional skills for planning and conducting ground, airmobile, airborne, and waterborne patrolling and survival operations.
Navy Officer Alexander M. Garcia / St. Croix
Feb. 21, 2004 (personal communication) – Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander M. Garcia, with eight-plus years in service, is stationed at Norfolk, Va., at the shipyard. He is responsible for building up hydraulic parts for a system that secures helicopters to the
ship while in air.
He has received orders to go in September 2004 to a new class ship presently being built in New Orleans, La. It will be commissioned in late spring 2005.
A graduate of Good Hope School in 1995, he is son to Maximo and Diana Garcia in Frederiksted. He says he "represents all Garcias in the west."
Navy Seaman Curtis S. Taylor / St. Croix
Feb. 20, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Seaman Curtis S. Taylor, son of Margaret
Thompson of Frederiksted, St. Croix, recently made a port visit to Rota, Spain, while on a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
While in Spain, Taylor and his fellow shipmates enjoyed shopping at cultural centers, visiting historical sights, and local cuisine.
The primary mission of Taylor's ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. This will be USS Thorn's final deployment, as the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after 23 years of active Navy service.
Taylor joined the Navy in June 2002.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Vince Vanterpool / St. Thomas
Feb. 20, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Chief Petty Officer Vince V. Vanterpool, son of Germaine and Vincent Vanterpool of St. Thomas, recently made
a port visit to Rota, Spain, while on a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
While in Spain, Vanterpool and his fellow shipmates enjoyed shopping at cultural centers, visiting historical sights, and local cuisine.
The primary mission of Vanterpool's ship is to provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. This will be USS Thorn's final deployment, as the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after 23 years of active Navy service.
Vanterpool is a 1989 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School. He joined the Navy in February 1989.
Army Staff Sgt. Weaver Prosper / St. Thomas
Feb. 19, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Staff Sgt. Weaver D. Prosper has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The servicemember is regularly assigned to the 84th Engineer Combat Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Prosper, the son of Marie and Matthew Prosper of Anna's Retreat, St. Thomas, is a senior construction supervisor with four years of military service.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political reconstruction.
Air Force Airman Edward Sylvester / St. Thomas
Feb. 18, 2004 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Edward G. Sylvester has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, he 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.
Airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Sylvester, a 2003 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, is the son of Shirley Harris of St. Thomas.
Navy Officer James Slaughter / St. Croix, St. Thomas
Feb. 12, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James M. Slaughter, whose wife, Cleo, is the daughter of Ceicely O. Burke of St. Croix, and Monteclair Burke of St. Thomas, is currently in the middle of a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, homeported in Mayport, Fla.
Slaughter is one of more than 6,500 Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group who were deployed immediately following work-up exercises in order to carry out America's ongoing operations in the war on terrorism.
Cruisers like USS Gettysburg are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons available.
Navy Seaman Apprentice Luis Perez / St. Croix
Feb. 9, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Luis A. Perez, son of Lorilei A. Plaskett of Frederiksted, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at the Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Perez completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, fire fighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the key skills and confidence they need to graduate and take to the fleet. "Battle Stations" has been designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly "Navy" flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.
Navy Airman Shaeme Ramos / St. Croix
Feb. 9, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Shaeme S. Ramos, son of Marjorie F. Ramos of Christiansted, and his fellow shipmates assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va., recently responded to a distress call from an Italian merchant vessel.
Upon receiving the distress call, Ramos' ship dispatched an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter to transport a wounded Italian sailor to the aircraft carrier, where he received proper medical attention for several deep lacerations around his face and an injury to his right leg.
Ramos, a 2001 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, joined the Navy in December 2002.
Carriers like the USS George Washington are deployed throughout the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
Army Sgt. Jacinta Lewis-Berrien / St. Thomas
Feb. 9, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Sgt. 1st Class Jacinta M. Lewis-Berrien has arrived for duty in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Lewis-Berrien is a military personnel technician with the 21st Theater Support Company. She has 17 years of military service.
She is the sister of Clare Lewis of Mount Pleasant, St. Croix. A 1983 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, Lewis-Berrien received an associate degree in 2002 from Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas.
Army Sgt. Maj. Christopher Dale / St. Thomas
Feb. 9, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher A. Dale participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward-deployed operating location overseas.
Dale, the son of Earla Thomas of Saint Thomas, is a 1976 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members from all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. The focus of the mission is to liberate the Iraqi people, preserve Iraq as a unified state, keep its territorial integrity intact, and help the Iraqi people begin the process of economic and political r
econstruction.
Dale is normally assigned to the 28th Combat Support Hospital, Fort
Bragg, Fayetteville, N.C.
Army Sgt. Collin Mack / St. Croix
Feb. 9, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Sgt. Collin L. Mack has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The servicemember is regularly assigned to the 84th Engineer Combat Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Mack is the son of R.S. and Abel L. Mack of Lorraine Village Blvd., Frederiksted. In 1999 he received an associate degree from New York City Technical College in Brooklyn.
Mack is a team leader with over four years of military service.
Army Staff Sgt. Tony A. Henry / St. Croix
Feb, 4, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Staff Sgt. Tony A. Henry has arrived for duty at Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea.
A 1987 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, he is the son of Bradley D. and Eldina G. Henry of Peters Rest, Christiansted.
Henry is assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Troop Command. He has 15 years of military service.

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