Airman

The dreaded telegram arrived from the War Department in Washington on a warm August day in 1945.For the family of airman Joseph P. Connor Jr., a handsome, young airman from Allegheny Avenue in Towson, it would be the beginning of a mystery that would last for more than 50 years.Connor, a first lieutenant and bombardier aboard a Consolidated B-24D "Liberator" bomber of the 36th Bomb Squad of the 8th Air Force, had been listed as "Missing in the European Area" in March of 1944.And now, nearly 17 months later, the Western Union telegram confirmed that the 23-year-old Towson Catholic High School graduate had been killed in action during a mission over Southern France in the early morning hours of March 4, 1944.

Air Force Airman Ryan C. McCormack graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. McCormack completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. McCormack earned distinction as an honor graduate.

Airman completes trainingAirman Michele R. Beckman has completed Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force base in Texas.She is a 1989 graduate of Broadneck Senior High School in Annapolis.Vaughters earns his wingsCROWNSVILLESecond Lt. Steven A. Vaughters, a 1984 graduate of Martin Spalding High School, has receivedhis pilot's wings after training at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas.Petty officer in Red SeaGAMBRILLSNavy Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark A. Harvison is serving aboard the destroyer USS Conolly in the Red Sea.The 1988 Arundel Senior High School graduate joined the Navy in 1989.

Lt. Gen. R. H. D. Rogers, 78, a highly decorated airman who rose through the ranks to become the chief of staff of South Africa's air force, died of cancer Sunday in Cape Town. General Rogers had been a member of parliament for the opposition Democratic Party until his retirement in 1994.

* Navy Fireman Recruit John A. Wagner, son of Merle T. Wagner of BelAir and Ella S. Danenman of Jarrettsville, has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego.During his eight-week training cycle, he studied general military subjects designed to prepare him for further academic and on-the-job training in one of the Navy's 85 basic fields.A 1987 graduate of C. Milton Wright High School, he joined the Navy in August 1990.* Navy Seaman Recruit Michelle M. Hawkins, daughter of Carolyn Hawkins of Aberdeen, has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, Fla.During her eight-week training cycle, she studied seamanship, close order drill, Naval history and first aid.A 1990 graduate of Harford Vocational Technical High School, she joined the Navy in August 1990.

TOKYO -- A sailor charged with battering a gay shipmate to death entered no plea yesterday during the first hearing in his closely watched court-martial, as the U.S. Navy disclosed that the defendant has said he was fending off an unwelcome sexual advance.The sailor, Airman Apprentice Terry M. Helvey, 20, said he was seeking a civilian lawyer for his criminal court-martial, which appears likely to drag out many of the stereotypes and arguments against permitting homosexuals in the military.

The following area servicemen recently completed basic military training:* Airman Michael S. Menowsky, son of Demma D. Bagwell and stepson of retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bill R. Horton of Severn, completed training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is a 1990 graduate of Meade High School.* Air National Guard Airman Gene M. Olmo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Olmo of Davidsonville, completed training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.* Airman David L. Virden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald R.Virden of Pasadena, completed training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

Airman Branham finishes basic trainingAirman Joseph G. Branham Jr. has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.He is the son of Joseph G. and Martha A. Branham of Edgewood.Airman Branham is a 1989 graduate of Harford Vocational-Technical High School.Havre de Grace airman at WhitemanAirman Sergio D. Bowser has arrived for duty at Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Mo.Airman Bowser is the son of Teresa A. Bowser of Havre de Grace.Bel Air midshipman back from the BalticNavy Midshipman Anil Phull, son of Army Maj. and Mrs. Kotu K. Phull of Bel Air, recently returned from a two-month deployment aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Yorktown to the Baltic Sea and Russia.

.. Princess C. Samuels wanted to see the world. The 22-year-old enlisted in the Army after she graduated in 2003 from Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, Prince George's County. "We just wanted to see the world and go to school and just get out of Maryland," said Senior Airman Jacqueline "Nikki" Ellis in an interview from Anderson Air Force Base in Guam. The two lived together like sisters during high school. "We saw so many people that just stayed in there and never do anything else," she said.

Durbin completes basicAirman Dean J. Durbin, son of Sandra J. Durbin and Dennis J. Durbin, both of Woodbine, has completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.Airman Durbin is a 1990 graduate of Glenelg High School.Lincoln commissionedMarine 2nd Lt. John T. Lincoln, son of John T. Lincoln of Ellicott City and Emily A. Lincoln of Columbia, was commissioned to his present rank after graduating from the University of South Carolina where he was a member of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.