NEWS FROM THE ARMED FORCES

Fuller receives promotion

John C. Fuller has been promoted in the U.S. Army to the rank of sergeant.

Fuller is a heavy equipment operator assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, in Waynesville.

He is the son of Celia McNew of Wappapello and Charles E. Fuller of Colorado Springs, Colo.

His wife, Christy, is the daughter of Danny and Barbra Stucker of Jackson.

Fuller is a 1990 graduate of Poplar Bluff-Campbell High School.

Newell completes basic training

Marine Pvt. Jason R. Newell, son of Charles and Glenda Newell of Jackson recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.

Newell joins 41,000 men and women who will enter the Marine Corps this year all over the country. He is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School.

Couch participates in sea rescue

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Craig E. Couch, brother of Robert W. Couch of Jackson, recently participated on an at-sea rescue while assigned to the guided missile frigate USS Elrod.

While on patrol in the Persian Gulf as part of the multinational interception force supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq, Couch's ship aided an Iraqi vessel having engine trouble. Crew members from USS Elrod boarded the vessel, which had been adrift for three days, repaired the engine and provided medical assistance to ill crew members.

He is a 1983 graduate of North Vermilion High School in Maurice, La., he joined the Navy in 1985.

Hanner completes six-month deployment

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Richard D. Hanner, whose wife, Theresa, is the daughter of Connie M. Yamnitz of Jackson has completed a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy.

While deployed, Hanner's ship participated in several multi-national exercises, including Invitex and Dynamic Mix. These exercises challenged sailors and marines in managing communications and executing operational information as it is received and processed.

Hanner is a 1985 graduate of Poplar Bluff Senior High School. He joined the Navy in August 1985.

Mitkos deploys in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Leslie J. Mitkos has deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Guard.

Operation Joint Guard, formerly referred to as Operation Joint Endeavor/Determined Effort, is a NATO-sponsored joint, multinational peace keeping mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a republic of the former Yugoslavia.

Mitkos is a command chaplain normally assigned to the 21st General Hospital in St. Louis.

He is the son of Leslie and Gloria Mitkos of Granite City, Ill.

His wife, Yvonne, is the daughter of Virginia DuSablon of Jackson.

The colonel is a 1965 graduate of St. Paul's Lutheran High School in Concordia and a 1973 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. Mitkos earned a master of divinity degree in 1976 and doctor of ministry in 1989, both from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He is a senior pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Staunton, Ill.

Lane decorated with medal

Air Force Capt. Joseph C. Lane has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal.

The medal is awarded for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement in service to the United States.

Lane is a comptroller with the 552nd Logistics Support Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma City, Okla.

His wife, Dana, is the daughter of Donald and Janet Brickhaus of Jackson.

The captain is a 1984 graduate of Colquitt County High School in Moultrie, Ga., and a 1988 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Kein joins the Army

Charles T. Kein of Jackson has joined the U.S. Army. He will receive training as a combat engineer.

He is a 1996 graduate of Jackson High School. Kein is the son of Charles M. Kein and Ms. Bonnie Bollinger of Jackson.

Riehl receives medal for conduct

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Lucas A. Riehl has recently received the Navy Good Conduct Medal.

He is a 1994 graduate of Jackson High School and the son of Jo Ann and stepson of Cliff LaFrentres of Perryville.

The medal recognizes the service member's honest and faithful service during a three-year period. To earn it Riehl achieved and maintained a satisfactory level of performance and an unblemished conduct record for the entire period.

Turner completes deployment

Navy Seaman Brett L. Turner, son of Robert and Dale Burrows of Jackson, has completed a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian oceans as well as the Arabian Sea, while aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation.

Turner's ship's mission involved enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq. Additional responsibilities were in support of the Multinational Interception Operations, which directly enforced U.N. sanctions against Iraq in the Persian Gulf.

Turner joined the Navy in September 1996.

Fredenburg arrives for duty in Korea

Air Force Senior Airman Brian J. Fredenburg has arrived for duty at Kunsan Air Base, Kunsan City, South Korea.

Fredenburg is an aircraft crew chief assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron.

He is the son of Jan L. Roth of Jackson and Ernest F. Fredenburg of Marissa, Ill.

He is a 1991 graduate of Jackson High School.

Taylor completes Personnel Clerk Course

Marine Pfc. Corey S. Taylor, a 1995 graduate of Jackson High School, recently completed the Personnel Clerk Course with Supply School Company, Marine Corps Service Support Schools, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Taylor joined the Marine Corps in February 1997.

Robertson graduates from OSUT

Army Pvt. Matthew C. Robertson has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville.

The training included basic military training and advanced individual training.

Robertson is the son of Mike and Cristine Robertson of Frohna.

He is a 1997 graduate of Perryville High School.

Dodds graduates from basic

Air Force Airman Jonathan Dodds has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

He studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs. He also received special training in human relations.

Dodds is the son of Richard and Carolyn Dodds of Marble Hill.

Hosey completes basic training

Army Pvt. Robin Hosey, a 1995 graduate of Jackson High School, has completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Waynesville.

During the training Hosey received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid and Army history and traditions.

Hosey is the son of Valerie Greer of Sikeston. His father and stepmother are Bobby and Joann Hosey of Cape Girardeau.