Jackson Marine in Iraq promoted to sergeant

William Tyler Stearns of Jackson was promoted to sergeant of the United States Marine Corps on Aug. 1. Stearns is currently on his second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Stearns' first deployment was aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. He is now deployed in Iraq assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force as a convoy escort. His task force transports Marines and equipment from various locations and conducts stability and security operations in Iraq. Stearns is the son of Judy and Rodney Smith and Bill and Sara Stearns, all of Jackson. He is a 2000 graduate of Jackson High School.