U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. Matthew Adams has earned the German Armed Forces Badge (Gold) for Military Proficiency.

In the U.S. military, the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency is one of the few approved foreign awards for wear on the uniform and is one of the most sought after awards to achieve.

Adams is on active duty. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Prospect.

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U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Hinkle has returned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., after being deployed to Afghanistan serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Hinkle, a platoon sergeant with the 307th Military Police Company, New Kensington, has served 16 years in the military.

He is the son of Robert G. and Betty E. Hinkle of Portersville.

The sergeant is a 1995 graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

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U.S. Navy Constructionman Robert E. Thibodeau III, son of Tammy D. Thibodeau of Fenelton and Robert E. Thibodeau Jr. of Fenelton, has deployed.

Thibodeau and fellow sailors in Afghanistan are manning defenses and constructing a compound in the Lashkar Gah District to support U.S. Marines who will advise Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP) and prepare them for a smooth transition upon the eventual drawdown of U.S. and allied forces.

Thibodeau is a 2006 graduate of Butler High School and joined the U.S. Navy in December 2011. He is a 2008 graduate of Community College of Allegheny County with an associate degree.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Evan Laderer, of Slippery Rock, recently performed in Kentucky and Indiana with the 2nd Marine Division Band. A patriotic concert and festival performance and participation in a parade supported the Kentucky Derby Festival and the 4th Marine Corps Recruiting District.

Laderer, a saxophone player, joined the band in August 2010. His favorite part of being with the band is being able to touch people through the music and see it in their eyes. Many spectators had never seen or heard a Marine band before.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Derek Michael, son of Kathy M. Hilliard of Butler and Scott G. Malloy of Renfrew, was recently selected as the distinguished graduate from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Marine Corps Engineer School at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Michael is a 2011 graduate of Butler Senior High School and joined the Marine Corps in July 2011.