Globe South In uniform
News about members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard in our communities
Received the Bronze Star
►Army Captain Rory P. Opanasets, son of Walter and Virginia Opanasets of Braintree, and a 2001 graduate of Braintree High School. Opanasets and his team were the first American units to conduct combat operations in the Badghis Province of Afghanistan, and they experienced intense fighting with heavily armed insurgents. Opanasets was instrumental in an assault against fortified enemy positions, which resulted in the killing of 18 insurgents. In another skirmish, working with the local militia as small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades exploded all around his company, Opanasets helped develop action that avoided casualties while inflicting damage on the enemy. The Bronze Star was awarded to Opanasets on July 19 in a ceremony in Afghanistan.Returned from Iraq
One hundred and sixty-five members of the 772nd Military Police Company, Massachusetts National Guard. The soldiers spent the past year in Iraq training, mentoring, and coaching the Iraqi police. The unit was led by Captain Derek Baran of Marblehead and 1st Sergeant Edward Peterson of Billerica. The 772nd was welcomed back by friends, family, and state Senator Marc Pacheco, Democrat of Taunton, during an Oct. 17 ceremony at the Taunton Armory.Graduated
From basic training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
►Army Private Patrick J. O’Connell, son of Kelly and the stepson of Robert Ashley of Norwell, currently attending Norwell High School. O’Connell joined under the Split-option Enlistment Program that allows high school students to attend basic training during the summer of their junior year.
From the Direct Fire Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
►Army Private 1st Class Gregg M. Forrest, son of Gregg Forrest of Carver and Dawn Forrest of Pembroke, and a 2003 graduate of Silver Lake Regional High School.
From basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio
► Airman 1st Class Patrick Broydrick, with honors, son of Jayne Broydrick of East Bridgewater, and a 1999 graduate of Boston College High School.
► Airman Matthew W. Chandler, son of Chris and Doreen Chandler of Rockland, and a 2008 graduate of Rockland High School.
► Airman Dana F. Crovo, son of Kim Dacey of Pembroke.
From basic training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
►Army Private 1st Class Amanda S. Lincoln, daughter of Dale Lincoln of Plymouth, granddaughter of Sally Worthington of Natick, and a 2004 graduate of Plymouth North High School.
From basic training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
►Army Private 1st Class Chad M. Kelble, son of Kathleen Kelble of Pembroke, and a 2000 graduate of Silver Lake Regional High School.
►Army Private Andriy M. Noble, son of Inna Noble of Marion.
From the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Leader Development and Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Tacoma
►Cadet Kellyanne McLaughlin, daughter of Paul J. and Donna M. McLaughlin Brockton, and a 2007 graduate of Brockton High School.
►Cadet Andrew J. Maio, son of Ann Marie Scully of Halifax, and a 2006 graduate of Silver Lake Regional High School. Maio is a student at Norwich University.
►Cadet Kelly A. Bennett, daughter of Gregory P. Gendreau of Attleboro and Colleen Kane of Connecticut, and wife of Mark and daughter-in-law of Mary Bennett, both of Brockton. The cadet is a 2000 graduate of Attleboro High School and a student at the University of Rhode Island.
►Cadet Michael A. Kane, son of Michael J. Kane and Katie Anne Kane, both of Middleborough, and a 2006 graduate of Middleborough High School. Kane is a student at Providence College.
►Cadet Whitney Hyde, son of Elisabeth M. Benders-Hyde of Marshfield and Robert W. Hyde of West Tisbury, and a 2006 graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. The cadet is a student at the University of Massachusetts.
The Globe welcomes submission of news items about local military personnel. Items may be sent to Alice C. Elwell at acelwell2@juno.com. Material for this column was provided by or was verified by the Department of Defense. 
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