Home Community People Military News of Virgin Islanders – March 2005

Military News of Virgin Islanders – March 2005

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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 [email protected]. 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.
Air Force Reserve Senior Airman Latoya Greene / St. Croix
March 18, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Reserve Senior Airman Latoya S. Greene has been decorated with the Joint Service Achievement Medal.
The daughter of Carlton E. Greene and Bernice M. Allick of Kingshill, St. Croix, she is a 2000 graduate of St. Croix Central High School.
The medal is awarded by the Secretary of Defense to members of the U.S. armed forces for meritorious service, achievement or accomplishment with distinction while assigned to a joint activity.
Greene, an information manager with the 512th Mission Support Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Del., has two years of military service.

Navy Airman Ray D. Ralph / St. Thomas
March 17, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Airman Ray D. Ralph, son of Charles W. Ralph of St. Thomas, is currently midway through a routine Western Pacific deployment while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard, homeported in San Diego.
USS Bonhomme Richard deployed as Expeditionary Strike Group Five's flagship and embarked Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the global war on terrorism. The primary mission of Ralph's ship is to embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine landing force by helicopter, landing craft air cushion or amphibious assault vehicle. USS Bonhomme Richard is deploying
under the Navy's new operational construct, the Fleet Response Plan. For more information about the deployment and high-resolution photographs, visit the official USS Bonhomme's Web site.
Ralph is a 2003 graduate of St. Petersburg High School of St. Petersburg, Fla. He joined the Navy in January 2004.
Army Sgt. Andrew Griffith Sr. / St. Thomas and Tortola
March 15, 2005 (personal submission) – Sgt. First Class Andrew D. Griffith Sr., son of Anna Sille and Lawrence Griffith Sr., has received the Bronze Star medal while serving in Iraq with the 2nd "Warrior" Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (Light). This medal represents exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom – II while assigned as the 2nd "Warrior" Brigade Combat Team Senior Personnel Sergeant Noncommissioned Officer in Charge.
SFC Griffith is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. SFC Griffith recently returned to the island after having been deployed for a year in Kirkuk, Iraq.
He is married to Saundra Hodge of Tortola and they have one son, Andrew Jr.
Navy Officer Jamal Baxter Jr. / St. Thomas
March 15, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamal A. Baxter Jr., son of Vivian C. Raymond of St. Thomas, recently returned to his homeport of Norfolk, Va. after participating in New Horizons, an annual humanitarian assistance exercise in Haiti, while assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan.
Baxter is a 1997 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School.
Baxter and his shipmates offloaded 1,200 tons of construction equipment and supplies for U.S. Navy Seabees and U.S. Army Reserve Military Police in support of the 90-day exercise. New Horizons supported the rebuilding of schools and wells, and also provided medical support to the victims of Hurricane Jeanne. Elements of the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group also conducted maritime interdiction operations training and multi-national exercises with Marines from Honduras and Columbia.
Amphibious assault ships like USS Saipan deploy 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. For more information about the USS Saipan and high-resolution photographs, visit the official Web site.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. George Espinosa / St. Croix
March 10, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. George Espinosa, son of Cruz A. Espinosa of Christiansted, St. Croix, recently reported for duty with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron One, Marine Aircraft Group 14,
Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N. C.
Espinosa, a 1980 graduate of Franklin K. Lane High School of Jamaica, N.Y., joined the Marine Corps in December 1982.
Army Pvt. Ian A. Browne / St. Croix
March 10, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Ian A. Browne has graduated from the Signal Support Systems Specialist Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga.
Browne's parents are Hyacinth P. and Wenworth C.N. Browne of St. Croix.
The 10-week course is designed to train students in the skills, knowledge and responsibilities required to provide telecommunications, signal support systems and terminal devices, and integrating signal systems and networks to combat units on the battlefield. Training includes instruction in operation, installation, troubleshooting, maintaining and repairing of various field wire equipment, radio, telephone and associated communications systems; and operate and perform preventive maintenance checks and services on assigned vehicles and power generators.
Airman Orlando Amaro / St. Thomas
March 10, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman 1st Class Orlando S. Amaro has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Amaro, a 2004 graduate of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School, is the son of Annetta M. Amaro of Annas Retreat, St. Thomas.
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. Tehi Tonge / St. John
March 9, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Army Pvt. Tehi J. Tonge has graduated from basic combat military training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
Tonge is the son of Celia and Myrel Tonge of Estate Carolina, St. John.
During the eight weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction in drill and ceremonies, rifle marksmanship, weapons, map reading, tactics, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, Army history, core values and traditions, and special training in human relations.
Airman Felicita Moquete / St. Thomas
March 7, 2005 (Army & Air Force Hometown News) – Air Force Airman Felicita Y. Moquete has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
The daughter of Luz Ramos and Luis M. Moquete of Hospital Ground, St. Thomas, she is a 2004 graduate of Charlotte Amalie 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, ai
rmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Navy Officer Earl D. Lake / St. Thomas
March 4, 2005 (Fleet Hometown News) – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Earl D. Lake, son of Merle R. and William W. Lake of St. Thomas, is currently midway through a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, homeported in San Diego.
Lake, a 1988 graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School, joined the Navy in April 1989.
Lake's ship deployed as part of Expeditionary Strike Group Five in support of the global war on terrorism. USS Milius provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The ship and crew perform anti-submarine, air and surface warfare by using the Vertical Launching System, advanced Tomahawk and anti-aircraft missiles and a multi-function phased array radar. For more information on the deployment and high resolution photographs, visit the Navy NewsStand Web site at http://www.news.navy.mil.

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