IN SERVICE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 6, 1992                   TAG: 9202060578
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
IN SERVICE
PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS JASON P. JOHNSON, son of Patsy G. and Henry P. Johnson Jr. of 949 Hartsook Blvd., has been promoted to his present rank after graduating from the aviation electrician's mate course at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Millington, Tenn.
Johnson is a 1988 graduate of Patrick Henry High School.
\ CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION were presented on behalf of Edward J. Derwinski, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to employees of the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center who were called to active duty in the Persian Gulf crisis.
Honored were Clifton Willis, Patricia Morris, Robert Rowell, Dr. Gary Harpold, Joyce Johnson, Jean Shelor, Erid Stroud, Gordon King, Michael Morris, Dr. Sarbit Aujla, Dr. Eduardo Rueda-Vasquez, Ron Long, Joseph Leonard, Dr. Jean Vike, and Tillman Morris.
\ ARMY CAPT. JOHN D. BLASSER, son of Richard and Hazel Blasser of 3610 Meadowlark Road, has received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during Operation Desert Storm.
Blasser, a 1980 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, is an assistant professor of military science at the University of Richmond.
\ COAST GUARD PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS MICHAEL D. ANDERSON, son of James D. and Donna L. Anderson of 2233 Pelham Drive S.W., was promoted to his present rank after completing the aviation electronics technician course.
Anderson is a 1989 graduate of Cave Spring High School.
\ NAVY PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS DAVID I. HUNTER, a 1979 graduate of Patrick Henry High School, has departed for a six-month deployment aboard the USS America.
The USS America, an aircraft carrier based in Norfolk, will lead an eight-ship battle group while conducting routine operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
\ NAVY LT. j.g. ANDREW L. McFARLAND, son of David L. and Carol L. McFarland of 3543 Verona Trail S.W., has departed for a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.
McFarland, a 1989 graduate of the University of Rochester (N.Y.), is stationed aboard the replenishment oiler USS Savannah, based in Norfolk. He will participate in routine training missions with the aircraft carrier USS America's battle group.
\ AIR FORCE LT. COL. JAMES M. FOWLER, son of James E. and Franklyn Fowler of 3744 Melcher St. S.E., has arrived for duty as chief of the strategic arms reduction team at Dulles International Airport, Washington.
Fowler graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967, received a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech in 1971 and a master's degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y., in 1979.
\ PVT. MICHAEL S. DELPIERRE, son of retired Air Force Master Sgt. and Mrs. Richard M. Delpierre of 2236 Brookfield Drive, has completed training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
Delpierre is a 1991 graduate of Cave Spring High School.
\ WARRANT OFFICER DIANE WAMPLER, a former staff sergeant with the 2nd Brigade of the Army Reserve's 80th Division in Salem, recently completed the basic warrant officer candidate course at Fort McCoy, Wisc.
She was cited for academic excellence and was placed on the commandant's list. She placed highest in her class in physical training with a score of 295.
Wampler, as a full-time administrator with the 2nd Brigade, received the Stuart Gallant Military Technician of the Year Award last year, the highest honor given to an 80th Division military technician.
She plans to attend the warrant officer technical tactical certification course at the Adjutant General School in Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., in March.
\ PVT. 1ST CLASS JOE L. FERRELL JR., son of Catherine S. and Joe L. Ferrell of 806 Hunt Ave N.W., has been awarded the Army Achievement Medal while serving as a food service specialist with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany.
The medal is presented to soldiers for meritorious service, acts of courage or other outstanding accomplishments.
Ferrell graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1990.
\ NAVY AIRMAN JEFFREY T. HAMM, a 1991 graduate of William Fleming High School, has completed training at Recruit Training Command in San Diego.
\ ARMY SPEC. ALBERT A. DENT, son of Mamie L. Jones and stepson of Fred Jones of 1817 Hanover Ave. N.W., has arrived for duty at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.
Dent, a teletype communications operator, is a 1988 graduate of Patrick Henry High School.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB