Robert Beplate Cited For Outstanding Service

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert W. BePlate, son of Joe and Rose BePlate of Deary, recently received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

BePlate, who joined the Navy in 1987, was cited for outstanding service as a supervisor with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 3, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and was chosen due to superb initiative and contribution in helping the command fulfill its mission.

Army National Guard Pvt. Bryan P. Gavin, son of Debra O’Brien and stepson of John O’Brien of Coeur d’Alene, has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Gavin received training in drill, ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy and justice, first aid, history and tradition, and basic combat construction. He also studied rigging operations, assembly and maintenance of military standard float and fixed bridges, and firing systems for demolition and explosives, and he operated light and heavy equipment.

James D. Couch, son of Jerry Chambers of Rathdrum, was recently promoted to the rank of major and serves as an assistant operations officer-combat crew training school examiner and aircraft commander at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

Couch, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, received a master’s degree from Webster State University in St. Louis in 1995.

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew J. Decker, son of John Decker of Moscow, has been promoted to his present rank while serving with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Decker, a 1995 graduate of Moscow High School, joined the Marine Corps in 1995 and was promoted for sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his designated specialty.

Staff Sergeant Greg A. Reed, son of Greg J. Reed of Mullan, has enlisted in the Army as a motor transport operator and recently left for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Reed, who joined the Army for travel and adventure, is a 1995 graduate of Mullan High School.

, DataTimes MEMO: Contact for Idaho Achievements is Sherry Adkins. Tell us about your achievements by writing to: Achievements, The Spokesman-Review, Suite 200, 608 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Pictures must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope.