Marine Cpl.

Patrick Graham has been awarded the Naval Achievement Medal "V" for valor while serving as a gunner with 5th Platoon Weapons Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, lst Marine Division, while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.On Oct. 9, when his platoon was ambushed and was receiving heavy automatic fire, he appeared on the turret of his vehicle in clear view of the enemy; and with complete disregard for his own safety, he suppressed enemy fire with his grenade launcher until the launcher malfunctioned. He then took immediate action numerous times under fire; and when that failed, he engaged the insurgents with his service rifle, hitting one insurgent, which forced the remaining enemy to flee.He is a 2001 graduate of Butler High School and has served two tours in Iraq.Marine Cpl.

Thomas McKee Jr., assigned to Marine Expeditionary Unit 24 to repair and maintain artillery radar, is currently aboard the USS John F. Kennedy, a conventional aircraft carrier, in New York City. The USS Kennedy is in New York to participate in the 18th Annual Fleet Week New York.McKee, son of Thomas McKee Sr. of Fenelton and Jennifer McKee of Chicora, is a 1999 graduate of Butler High School.The USS Kennedy is homeported in Mayport, Fla.Marine Corps Pvt.

Derek Beyer, son of David A. Beyer of Butler and Anna Vannote of Valdez, Alaska, recently completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif.Air Force Airman

Michael Dempsey has graduated from the F-16 Aircraft Avionics Systems Apprentice Course at Sheppard Air Force Base, Wichita Falls, Texas.He is the son of Annette Schultise of Mars, and Steven L. Dempsey of McKeesport.Dempsey is a 2004 graduate of Seneca Valley High School.