Achievers

Spc. Adam Ellsworth, son of Carol Hathcox Tuttle, of Tyler, returned from Iraq on Jan. 3. His unit, the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was deployed for 15 months.
Ellsworth is a 2003 graduate of Winona High School. He completed basic training with many top honors at Fort Sill, Okla. After school at Fort Sam Houston, he was attached to the 1st Calvary Division where he works as a combat medic.
Ellsworth and his wife, Courtney, reside at Fort Hood. He has re-enlisted and will be moving to Fort Sam Houston, where he will continue medical training.


INAUGURAL MEETING
The inaugural meeting of the new East Texas Council of the United States Navy League in Tyler will be held Thursday at Traditions Restaurant, 6205 S. Broadway Ave. Reservations may be made at the Holiday Inn Select on South Broadway Avenue, for those attending from out of town. You may reach the hotel at 903-561-5800 and, if eligible, ask for a military discount.

There will be a reception at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. and the program at 8 p.m. Speaker is the National President of the Navy League J. Mike McGrath. Other honored guests will include city and county officials and civic leaders from East Texas.

Veterans, active duty and retired, from all branches, are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Bill Fiser at 214-869-8066, or Randy Vanderstay at 903-589-4461.


COMMISSIONED

Mike Mitchell was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on Dec. 14 at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station. He graduated from Texas A&M University earlier in the day, receiving a bachelor of arts in geosciences.

This past summer, Mitchell completed Marine Corps Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Va.

He will be reporting back to Quantico, Va., for the Marine Corps Basic School, then pilot training in Pensacola, Fla.

His parents are Debbie and Bob Garrett, of Tyler, and David and Courtney Mitchell, of Southlake.

Mitchell attended Tyler schools and graduated from Flower Mound High School.


GRADUATED

Army Pvt. Darius C. Bennett graduated from basic combat training at Fort Sill Artillery Training Center in Lawton, Okla. During the nine weeks of training, the soldiers study Army values, the Army mission, Army courtesies and customs, military justice, Army history and traditions, team work development, marching, drill and ceremony, map reading, first aid, rifle marksmanship (basic and advanced), weapons usage, tactical training, situational training, field tactics and chemical warfare.

Bennett was one of 15 honor graduates. He will continue his training at the Fort Sill Training Center.

Bennett is the son of Bonnie Bennett, Arp, and Larry Bennett, Troup. He is a 2004 graduate of Arp High School.

Air Force Airman James M. Miles and Matthew B. King have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies, performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

He is the son of Mike Miles, Tyler.

Miles graduated in 2003 from Eagle Academy, Tyler.

King is the son of Melissa King, Athens.

Army Pvts. Amanda Pipes and Charles W. Moore have graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Pipes is the daughter of Jeannie Pipes, Brownsboro.

The private is a 2006 graduate of Brownsboro High School.

Moore is the son of Ray Moore and Suzzane Moore, both of Grand Saline. The private is a 2007 graduate of Grand Saline High School.

DD 748 Harry E. Hubbard shipmates reunion, April 17 to April 20, in Baltimore, Md. Contact Mike Caruccio 717-235-5768.


Military news about East Texans is published each Sunday. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday.

BACK FROM IRAQ: It was a joyous homecoming for Spec. Adam Ellsworth of Winona and his mother, Carol Hathcox Tuttle of Tyler, when the soldier returned from Iraq on Jan. 3.
(-Courtesy Photo)