Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Military News

PV1 Courtney D. Harris of Hope and PV1 Brandon J. Smith of Prescott have enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard as members of Company A (-) 1-153rd Infantry at Prescott.

Harris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Harris of Hope, and Smith, the son of Mrs. Nancy Smith of Prescott, will report in April to Ft. Benning, Ga., for basic training. They will receive advanced infantry training at Ft. Benning, Ga., and be assigned to the rifle platoon as ammunition bearers.

As members of the Arkansas Army National Guard they are eligible for the Montgomery GI Bill as well as Arkansas Act 186 (tuition incentives) and Act 187 (Student loan repayments) to help with their education.

PV1 Charles L. Williams of Emmet, a member of Company A (-) 1-153d Infantry at Prescott, Arkansas Army National Guard, has been promoted to the rank of Private Second Class. He is a senior at Emmet High School.

PV2 Williams enterd the military on January 11, 1996. The son of Patricia Williams of Emmet, he is assigned as an assistant machine gunner.

Sgt. Paul J. Melton of Cale and Sgt. Joe W. Hubbard of Prescott, both members of Company A (-) 1-153d Infantry at Prescott, Arkansas Army National Guard, have been promoted to the rank of staff sergeant. Hubbard is a graduate of Prescott High School and Melton is a graduate of Cale High School.

Sgt. Melton entered the military on March 18, 1985, and has received the following medals: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantrymans Badge, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal.

The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Melton of Cale, he is assigned as rifle weapons squad leader.

Sgt. Joe W. Hubbard entered the military on January 5, 1985, and has received the following medals: Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Arkansas Commendation Medal, Arkansas Service Medal and Arkansas Emergency Service Medal.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hubbard of Prescott, he is assigned as a rifle weapons squad leader.

Spec. Lonnie R. Tharp of Prescott and Sgt. William G. McBride of Prescott, both members of CO A (-) 1-153d Infantry at Prescott, Arkansas Army National Guard, have been awarded the Army Achievement Medal (first award).

Tharp is the son of Homer Tharp of Olympia, Wash., and Cathy Clingan of Prescott. He began his military career in April 1994 and has received the following awards: Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

McBride is the son of Billy McBride of Prescott and Mary Hawthorn of Hobbs, N.M. He began his miltiary career in January 1985 and has received the following awards: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Arkansas Service Ribbon.

McBride and his wife, the former Angela Hill, live in Prescott with their children, Ashley and Elizabeth.

Sgt. Ricky L. Martin of Hope, Sgt. Harold Kirby of Prescott and Spec. Gregory A. Dougan of Prescott, all members of CO A (-) 1-153d Infantry at Prescott, Arkansas Army National Guard, have been awarded the Army Achievement Medal (second award).

Martin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Martin of Rosston. He began his military career in September 1985 and has received the following awards: Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Arkansas Service Ribbon and the Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon.

Martin and his wife, the former Melissa Pearson of Hope, live in Hope with their children, Brandi, Justin and Makanna.

Kirby is the son of Lola Kirby of Prescott. He began his military career in July 1977 and has received the following awards: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon.

Kirby and his wife, the former Patteri Watson of Hope, live in Prescott.

Dougan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Penny Dougan of Prescott. He began his military career in May 1991 and has received the following awards: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and the Driver/Mechanic Badge.

Dougan and his wife, the former Colbey Glass of Prescott, live in Prescott with their two children, Quentin and Zachery.

For information on membership in the Arkansas Army National Guard, call SFC Leonard Sanford toll-free at 1-800-753-3196.