Staff Sgt.

David Crispen, son of Clyde and Diana Crispen of Butler Township, and other members of the 101st Airborne Division, recently spent a week combing through the potato and onion fields south of the Baghdad International Airport.Crispen spotted a raw potato someone had chewed, and next to it was some loose dirt that didn't look right. A shovel was borrowed from a nearby house and metal was hit with the first spadeful of dirt.They had found an insurgent cache of 40 155mm artillery shells wrapped in plastic to protect them from corrosion. The cache was enough to make up to a dozen roadside bombs. Before the bomb squad arrived to destroy the find, a second cache of weapons was located.The 1997 alumnus of Butler High School is credited with locating four such caches and thus saving many lives since he began his second tour on Oct. 1. During his first tour, he served in the Battle for Baghdad.His wife, Rheiannon, and their two children are living in Illinois with her parents.Lance Cpl.

George Stutz of Butler recently was temporarily assigned to the Marine Corps recruiting sub-station in Butler, where he will be a recruiter assistant until late December.Stutz, a 2004 graduate of Butler High School, is the son of Rosemary Stutz of Butler.The Iraqi Freedom veteran is currently serving in the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion of Camp Lejeune, N.C.Stutz has been nominated for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for heroic service in Iraq.Pvt.

Ryan Wolf recently graduated from basic training at Parris Island, S.C.Wolf, a 2005 graduate of Knoch High School, is the son of Kurt and Lynne Wolf of Butler.While at basic training, he qualified as a sharpshooter with the M-16 service rifle and as a tan belt in Marine Corps Martial Arts.Wolf will attend Marine combat training at Camp Lejeune N.C. He then will be trained to serve as a legal and administrative clerk in the Marine Corps.Pfc.

Katelyn Scheidemantle recently graduated from Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island S.C.Scheidemantle, a 2005 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, is the daughter of Linda and Kurt Scheidemantle of Evans City.Katelyn was awarded the rank of private first class as a result of her attending two years of Jr. ROTC in high school.While at basic training, she qualified as a marksman with the M-16A2 service rifle as well as a tan belt in Marine Corps Martial Arts.She will attend Marine Combat training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and then will be trained to serve as a motor transport operator in the Marine Corps Reserve Unit, 1st and 2nd Platoon Truck Co. of Ebensburg.

Jessica Mahood, daughter of Edward Mahood and Susan Dankouh of Butler, entered the Air Force's Delayed Entry Program Aug. 17 and shipped to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, on Nov. 15.Mahood is a 2005 graduate of American Cooperative Schools.Navy Seaman

Jake Wilamowski, son of Linda and Ed Wilamowski of Cranberry Township, recently completed basic training and was promoted to his current rank at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.Wilamowski is a 2004 graduate of Seneca Valley High School.Two area residents, Navy Fireman Apprentice

Matthew Dunlap and Navy Chief Petty Officer

Gary G. Noblit, and their fellow shipmates returned to sea after a two-month long in-port period while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.Dunlap, son of Mark Dunlap of Portersville and Virginia Dunlap of Virginia Beach, Va., joined the Navy in September 2003.Noblit, son of Joanne and Loyal Noblit of West Sunbury, is a 1981 graduate of Moniteau High School.On Nov. 18, Pvt. 2nd Class

Trevor Swidzinski graduated from basic training and infantry training with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 329th Infantry, Fort Benning, Ga.Swidzinski will report to the Pennsylvania National Guard in Connoquenessing Township to join his unit, Alpha Co., 112th, on Dec. 4.He is the son of Carl Swidzinski Jr. and the grandson of Carl and Nancy Swidzinski, all of Butler.Navy Lt. Cmdr.

Charles Bare II, whose wife, Mary, is the daughter of Carolyn and Raymond Widenhofer of Herman, recently retired from active duty after 25 years of service.Bare most recently served with Afloat Training Group Atlantic, Norfolk, Va.Air Force Airman

Garren Mallette has graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.He is the son of Randall Mallette and Leeann Richter, both of Butler.The airman is a 2005 graduate of Butler High School.