Editor's note: The Source newspapers publish available information about Virgin Islanders who are serving their country in the military. For earlier notices, see previous months' 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 Sailor PO3 Kamal C. Pereira/St. Croix
Jan. 7, 2008 – Navy Sailor PO3 Kamal C. Pereira, currently serving in Iraq, was presented a Letter of Commendation (LOC) on Dec. 25, for an "outstanding job." It was presented by a three-star general. Pereira enlisted in the Navy in 2001 after graduating from the St. Croix Central High School. He was stationed in Norfolk, Va. on the USS Enterprise and in Atlanta, Ga. on the NAS. He is the son of Audrey O. Browne and Carl Pereira, and the brother of Dezarea Caines, all of Christiansted.
Army National Guard Pvt. Malvon C. Percival
Jan. 18, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army National Guard Pvt. Malvon C. Percival 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. He received instruction and practice in physical fitness, 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.
Percival is a 1990 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Navy Seaman Recruit Sylvester J. Thomas/St. Thomas
Jan. 23, 2008 (Fleet Hometown News Center) – Navy Seaman Recruit Sylvester J. Thomas, a 2007 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, St. Thomas, V. I., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Thomas 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 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 Sgt. Shenell L. Tyson/St. Thomas
Jan. 24, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Sgt. Shenell L. Tyson has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal. The medal is awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, who, while serving in any capacity with the Army, have distinguished themselves by meritorious service or achievement while serving in a combat or non-combat area.
Tyson, a power-generation equipment repairer with seven years of military service, is assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Ga.
Her mother, Myrtle Daniel, resides on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The sergeant graduated in 2000 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
Air Force Airman Eric M. Prince/St. Thomas
Jan. 29, 2008 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Eric M. Prince has been promoted to the rank of airman in the U.S. Air Force.
Prince, an aerospace propulsion apprentice, is assigned to the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Mo.
He is the son of Cecilia Tyson-Prince of Bovoni Building., St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The airman graduated in 2006 from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, St. Thomas.
