Military digest 3/3/08

Chief petty officer receives Navy award

Senior chief petty officer Kevin D. Martin was the recipient of the U.S. Navy's John C. Stennis award in leadership for the senior enlisted division at the White House recently. President Bush was in attendance. Martin is the son of Harry Martin of Cape Girardeau and Debra Gharms of St. Louis. Kevin's duties are aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Pacific fleet. At age 32, he is one of the youngest senior chief petty officers in the Navy.

Seaman with area ties completes basic training

Navy Reserve Seaman Zachary N. Ayers, son of Evita G. Rowland of Cape Girardeau and Bobby K. Ayers of Caruthersville, Mo., recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. Ayers is a 2006 graduate of Caruthersville High School.

-- From staff reports