Military digest 11/24/01

Combat engineer given achievement medal

Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Keene has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal.

The recipients must distinguish themselves by meritorious service or achievement and accomplish the act with distinction.

Keene is a combat engineer assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, Camp Howze, Jori-Myon, South Korea. He is a 2000 graduate of Advance High School in Advance, Mo. Keene is the son of Kevin Keene of Advance.

Tamms native reenlists for two years in Navy

Frederick Ballentine, a 1978 graduate of Egyptian High School in Tamms, Ill., recently reenlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years while serving at Atlantic Fleet Headquarters in Norfolk, Va.

Marine from Jackson finishes aviation course

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. James King, son of Phyllis and Jerry King of Jackson, Mo., recently completed the aviation electronics technician "O" level course taught at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Fla. King is a 2000 graduate of Jackson High School. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2000.

Quartermaster awarded achievement medal

Quartermaster Third Class J. Brian Renaud has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties while serving as senior quartermaster of the watch and navigational publication custodian in USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) from March to August. Renaud provided expert assistance to the ship's navigator, enabling the John L. Hall to navigate safely over 20,000 nautical miles.

Renaud is the son of John Renaud of Cape Girardeau, and Theresa Renaud of St. Louis. He is the grandson of Catherine Renaud of Charleston, Mo., and Cordelia Conn of Wyatt, Mo.

-- From staff reports