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.
Seaman Curtis Taylor / St. Croix)
May 28, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Curtis S. Taylor, son of Margaret Thompson of Frederiksted, recently returned home after a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Taylor's ship deployed along with USS Cole and USS Gonzalez as part of Surface Strike Group 03-2 in support of the global war on terrorism and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. USS Thorn operated with coalition ships of various nations, conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations and escorted Military Sealift Command ships through strategic chokepoints, and enjoyed 13 port visits in seven countries.
This will be USS Thorn's final deployment, as the ship is scheduled for decommissioning in 2004 after 23 years of active Navy service. For more information on the deployment and high resolution photographs, visit the Navy Newstand Web site.
Taylor joined the Navy in June 2002.
Navy Office Vince V. Vanterpool / St. Thomas
May 28, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Chief Petty Officer Vince V. Vanterpool, son of Germaine and Vincent Vanterpool of St. Thomas, recently returned home after a routine, scheduled deployment to the Mediterranean Sea while assigned to the Spruance-class destroyer USS Thorn, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Vanterpool's ship deployed along with USS Cole and USS Gonzalez as part of Surface Strike Group 03-2 in support of the global war on terrorism and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. USS Thorn operated with coalition ships of various nations, conducted Maritime Interdiction Operations and escorted Military Sealift Command ships through strategic chokepoints, and enjoyed 13 port visits in seven countries.
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, a 1989 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, joined the Navy in February 1989.
Airman Chemica B. Jackson / St. John
May 27, 2004 (Army and Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Chemica B. Jackson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Jackson is the daughter of Michael Jackson and Cheryl Boynes-Jackson of Gift Hill, St. John.
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.
Airman Orthan Bailey / St. Croix
May 25, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Orthan A. Bailey has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Bailey, the son of Arlene Bailey of Two Williams, Frederiksted, graduated in 1997 from Central High School and received a bachelor's degree in 2002 from Jacksonville University in Florida.
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.
Airman Akimo Henry / St. Croix
May 24, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Akimo O. Henry has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Henry is the brother of Karim George of 2421 Wycliff Road, Raleigh,
N.C., and the nephew of Julian Henry of Williams Delight, Frederiksted.
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.
Navy Officer Alrick F. Cole / St. Croix
May 24, 2004 (Fleet News)–Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alrick F. Cole, son of Lenore Warner of Frederiksted and Derrick F. Cole of Frederiksted, recently reported for duty aboard the guided missile frigate USS Kauffman, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Cole, a 1991 graduate of Central High School, joined the Navy in October 1991.
Airman Kishima Estridge / St. Croix
May 20, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Kishima M. Estridge has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Estridge, the daughter of James and Elma Estridge of St. Croix, is a 2003 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
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.
Navy Officer Malcolm Phillip / St. Thomas
May 20, 2004 (Fleet News) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Malcolm Phillip, son of Roma A. and Malcolm A. Phillip of St. Thomas, recently reported for duty with U.S. Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy.
Phillip joined the Navy in June 1985.
Seaman Apprentice Ray Ralph / St. Thomas
May 13, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) –Navy Seaman Apprentice Ray D. Ralph, son of Charlesworth I. Ralph of St. Thomas, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Ralph is a 2003 graduate of St. Petersburg High School of St. Petersburg, Fla.
During the eight-week program, Ralph completed a variety of training that 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 skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is 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.
Seaman Recruit Richard Nanton / St. Croix
May 12, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Recruit Richard A. Nanton, son of Katherine and James M. Nanton of Frederiksted, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Nanton completed a variety of training that 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 ev
ent of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is 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.
Seaman Apprentice Pete J. Seaman / St. Croix
May 11, 2004 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Seaman Apprentice Pete J. Seaman, son of Rebecca T. and Peterson Seaman of Christiansted, recently completed U.S.
Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
Seaman is a 2003 graduate of Freewill Baptist Christian School of Christiansted.
During the eight-week program, Seaman completed a variety of training that 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 skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. "Battle Stations" is 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 Pvt. Lemuel Cromwell / St. Croix
May 11, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Army Pvt. Lemuel N. Cromwell, a 1997 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, 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.
Army National Guard Pvt. Crystal Augustin / St. Croix
May 11, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Crystal C. Augustin has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
Augustin is the daughter of Angela Augustin of Sunny Isle, Christiansted.
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.
Airman Amira Olive / St. Thomas
May 11, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Senior Airman Amira J. Olive has graduated from the Airman Leadership School.
The daughter of Elton and Sandra George of St. Thomas, Olive graduated in 1999 from Charlotte Amalie High School. Her husband, Andrew, is the son of Andrew and Claudette Olive of St. Thomas.
The five-week course Olive took trains senior airmen to understand their positions in the Air Force organizational structure, leadership and communications skills, profession of arms, and the need for professional development to be effective noncommissioned officers.
The course is designed to prepare and better equip senior airmen to serve as supervisors, managers, leaders and rating officials as they progress in their enlisted military careers. The school is the first of three levels of professional military education programs used to develop and cultivate leadership and supervisory skills, and is a required course for airmen to complete prior to being promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
The airman, a performance report technician with four years of military service, is assigned to the Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Airman Shera Hendrickson / St. Croix
May 10, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Shera V. Hendrickson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Hendrickson, the daughter of Vanya V. Vigilant of Kingshill, is a 2003 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex.
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.
Airman Tyhae Willocks / St. Croix
May 10, 2004 (Army & Air Force News) – Air Force Airman Tyhae C. Willocks has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Willocks, the daughter of Cheryl Willocks of Estate Bellevue, Christiansted, graduated in 2000 from the St. Croix Education Complex.
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.
Navy Airman Shaeme Ramos / St. Croix
May 4, 2004(Fleet News) – Navy Airman Shaeme S. Ramos, son of Marjorie F. Ramos of Christiansted, is currently in the middle of a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Ramos, a 2001 graduate of St. Croix Central High School, joined the Navy in December 2002.
Ramos is one of more than 7,600 Sailors and Marines aboard the ships of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group deployed to carry out
America's ongoing operations in the war on terrorism.
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 ggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.
Army Spec. Aage W. Schou / St. Croix
May 3, 2004 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Spec. Aage W. Schou has arrived for duty at the 41st Signal Battalion, Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea.
Schou is the son of Aage and Iantha Schou of Christiansted. He graduated in 1998 from St. Croix Educational Complex, and received a bachelor's degree in 2002 from Devry Institute, Decatur, Ga.
The specialist is a broadcast equipment operator/maintainer with one year of military service.
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