Air Force Airman 1st Class Erin A. Crandall, daughter of Patricia and Karl Crandall of St. Petersburg, has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. She is a 2001 graduate of Dixie Hollins High School and a 2005 graduate of the University of Florida, Gainesville.
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Eddie James, son of Margaret and Eddie James Sr. of St. Petersburg, recently retired as superintendent of Operations Management Branch, National Reconnaissance Office, Washington, D.C., after 21 years in the Air Force. Early in his career, Eddie was assigned to the 88th Missile Squadron at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base and the 38th Tactical Missile Wing at Wueschheim Air Station, Germany.
From 1990-1993, he was a Telephone Central Office supervisor/technician with the 2045th Communications Group, Andrews Air Force Base, and then was assigned to the 51st Communications Squadron, Osan Air Base, Korea, where he served as noncommissioned officer in charge of the Telephone Central Office.
He served in several positions at the Air Force Pentagon Communications Agency from 1994-2000, and for the past five years he has held several positions at the National Reconnaissance Office. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Combat Readiness Medal, Outstanding Airman of the Year Ribbon, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
He graduated magna cum laude from Strayer University with a bachelor of science degree in computer networking.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Lonnie K. Campton, son of Carol A. and Larry F. Campton of St. Petersburg, recently reported for duty at Surface Combat Systems Center, Wallops Island, Va. He is a 1993 graduate of Northeast High School.
Air Force Airman Robert A. Polcaro, son of Mirella and Salvatore Polcaro of St. Petersburg, has graduated from Airman Leadership School at Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Va. He is an aerospace propulsion journeyman. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1999.
Navy Seaman Recruit Melissa J. Thornton, daughter of Victor K. Thornton and stepdaughter of Lori Thornton of Seminole, has completed Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. She is a 2001 graduate of Seminole High School.
Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua W. Wood, son of John W. Wood of Pinellas Park and Tina D. Eden of Dunedin, has graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J. He is a 2001 graduate of Clearwater High School.
Parents are invited to send military press releases to Catherine Cushing, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731 or cushing@sptimes.com Please include a photo if available and your return address and phone number.
