Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Curtis L. Barnes, son of William and Melvena Barnes of Davies Drive, Columbia, is aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Wainwright, based in Norfolk, Va., midway through a sir-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas as part of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy battle group.

Master Sgt. Willie L. Johnson has been decorated with the Air Force Achievement Medal, awarded to airmen for acts of courage or other accomplishments. Johnson, a health services management support supervisor, is the son of Marion P. Johnson of Edgewood Avenue, Columbia. He is a 1973 graduate of A.C. Flora High School.

Airman John W. McGee has completed the tactical electrical and environmental systems specialist course at Chanute Äir Force Base, Rantoul, II. A 1990 graduate of Richland Northeast High School, he is the son of Keith A. and Vera A. McGee of Omega Drive, Columbia.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ken J. Dreon has received a Letter of Commendation for superior performance of duty while assigned at Fleet Training Center, Naval Station, Mayport, Fla. He is a 1984 graduate of Lugoff-Elgin High School.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin N. Waters, son of Clyde H. and Judy L. Waters of Barrister Drive, Columbia, is aboard the destroyer tender USS Puget Sound, based in Norfolk, Va., midway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Red seas as part of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy battle group. He is a 1989 graduate of Spring Valley High School.

Airman Tavares L. Holmes has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Holmes is the son of Ella R. Ousley of Alpha Court, Columbia. He is a 1992 graduate of Richland Northeast High School.

Tech. Sgt. Reginald Bush has graduated from an Air Force major command noncommissioned officer academy having received advanced military leadership and management training. Bush is in the information management plans division at Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach, Fla. He is the son of George Bush of Kingston Road, Columbia.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel A. Reigel Jr. has arrived for duty at Charleston Air Force Base. Reigel, a communications-computer systems operator, is the son of Daniel A. and Beverly M. Reigel of Overhill Road, Columbia.

Spec. Ronald A. Watts has graduated from the 58-day Ranger course at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. Watts is the son of Charles T. Watts and Jeanette B. Watts, both of Blythewood. He is a 1988 graduate of Spring Valley High School.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher V. Shaw participated, in William Tell ’92, an air-to-air weapons competition. Shaw, an assistant weapons maintenance supervisor, is the son of Harry H. and Betty J. Shaw of W. Arcadia Lakes Drive, Columbia.

Sgt. Alex L. George participated in William Tell ’92, an air-to-air weapons competition. George, a tactical aircraft maintenance specialist, is the son of Air National Guard Lt. Col. Dola and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Adrian Cordoni of Rock Bridge Road, Columbia.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Stanley Ellis, son of Mary Ellis of Columbia, is aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, based in Mayport, Fla., midway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean as part of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy battle group.

Navy Seaman Recruit Shaun D. Boyd has completed basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. He is the son of Betty M. Boyd of Columbia.

Mark J. Waldron, son of Marion and Nancy Waldron of Columbia, recently enlisted in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program. Waldron, a 1991 graduate of Richland Northeast High School, is scheduled for enlistment in the regular Air Force in February.

David R. Peters, son of Kenneth E. Peters of Columbia, recently enlisted in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program. Peters, a 1992 graduate of Richland Northeast High School, is scheduled for enlistment in the regular Air Force in March.

Dante L. Riddle, son of Willie and Marion Riddle of Columbia, recently enlisted in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program. Dante, a 1989 graduate of Spring Valley High School, is scheduled for enlistment in the regular Air Force in February.

Nyesha L. King, daughter of Annie King of Columbia, recently enlisted in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program. King, a 1992 graduate of Wilson High School, is scheduled for enlistment in the regular Air Force in February.

Air Force Capt. Gregory F. Patterson has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal, awarded for outstanding non-combat achievement. It is his second award. Patterson, a human resources assignment officer, is the son of George W. and Louise L. Patterson of Bradley Drive, Columbia. He is a 1977 graduate of Cardinal Newman High School and a 1981 graduate of The Citadel.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Demetrius O. Tyler, son of Joyce T. and Blease E. Simons of Valkyrie Boulevard, Columbia, was recently promoted to his present rank while serving aboard the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge, deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. He is a 1989 graduate of Spring Valley High School.

Christopher G. Caspino has received the silver wings of an Army aviator and was appointed a warrant officer upon completion of the rotary wing aviator course at Fort Rucker, Daleville, Ala. He is the son of Charles Caspino Jr. of Inway Drive and Marianne B. Cohn of Westpine Court, both of Columbia. He is a 1984 graduate of Richland Northeast High School.

Army National Guard Pfc. Daniel W. Tefs has graduated from the power generation equipment repairer course at Fort Belvoir. Fairfax. Va. Tefs is the son of William S. and Joan S. Tefs of Eastbranch Road, Columbia. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1980.

Airman 1st Class David Belton Jr. has graduated from the personnel specialist course at Keesier Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. A 1992 graduate of C.A. Johnson High School, he is the son of David Belton Sr. of Irish Court, Blythewood, and Carolina Brown of Truax Lane, Columbia.

Pvt. Andrea C. Wood has completed a food service specialist course at Fort Jackson. She is the daughter of Benzina Wood of Eskie Dixon Road, Elgin.

Navy Seaman Recruit Michael J. Van Rees, son of Raymond J. and Sue Van Rees of Windsor Lake Boulevard, Columbia, recently completed basic training at Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes, Ill. He is a 1992 graduate of Richland Northeast High School.

Air Force Capt. Walter G. Farrar has arrived for duty at Shaw Air Force Base, Samter. Farrar, a fighter pilot, is the on us Walter G. and Teena Farrar of Spring Valley Road, Columbia. The captain is a 1978 graduate of Spring Valley High School and a 1983 graduate of the University of South Carolina.

Army Sgt. Anthony D. Shell, a member of the 6th Infantry Division (Light), has deployed to Fort Chaffee, Fort Smith, Ark., for a training exercise. Shell, a cannon crewman, is the son of Freddie Shell of Park State and Mozell J. Shell of Forestwood Drive, both of Columbia. He is a 1987 graduate of Richland Northeast High School.

Pvt. Christopher A. McClerklin has completed the equipment records and parts specialist course at Fort Lee, Petersburg, Va. He is the son of Fred and Rugh J. McClerklin of Truman Street, Columbia. The private is a 1992 graduate of W.J. Keenan High School.

Army Staff Sgt. Timothy W. Coulter Sr. has been deployed to the Sinai as part of the multinational peacekeeping force and observers. Coulter is a heavy anti-armor weapons infantryman at Fort Bragg, N.C. A 1987 graduate of Spring Valley High School, he is the son of Joyce A. Ard of Ashley Creek Drive, Elgin.

Marine Staff Sgt. Warren K. Gaither, son of Amos Young of Edgewood Avenue, Columbia, recently received the Navy Achievement Medal. Gaither was cited for superior performance of duty while assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.

Navy Fireman David M. Linfert, son of Unhwa Linfert of Saint George Terrance, Elgin, is currently deployed aboard the dock landing ship U.S.S. Gunston Hall, homeported in Little Creek, Va., and midway through a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as part of the USS Guam Amphibious Ready Group. He is 1988 graduate of Spring Valley High School.

Pvt. 1st Class Timothy B. Hughes has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal that is awarded to solders for meritorious services, acts of courage or other outstanding achievements. A light wheel vehicle mechanic, he is the son of Judy R. Huhes if Windwood Drive, Elgi, and Jon Hughes, Pittsburgh.