Scott City graduate receives Missouri National Guard award

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jess LaFentres, of south St. Louis, was recently honored for helping two soldiers injured in a vehicle accident during the June floods.

LaFentres, a Scott City High School graduate, has served in the Missouri National Guard for 28 years. He is married to Jane LaFentres. They have two children, Emily and Matthew. LaFentres is the son of Frank and Carolyn LaFentres of Cape Girardeau and Jane Griffin of Murfreesboro, Tenn.

LaFentres was one of four soldiers from the Missouri Army National Guard's 1035th Support Maintenance Company who provided medical assistance and called for an ambulance after seeing a vehicle overturn.

The Missouri National Guard's safety and occupational health office presented LaFentres with a certificate of recognition and a commemorative safety coin. The presentation of commemorative coins is a long-standing military tradition and is a great honor for a soldier.