ARMED FORCES

ARMED FORCES

PROMOTION

Advanced to major

Air Force Maj. Pascual Zamudio III was recently promoted to his current rank. He is the son of Denise Serensky of Berlin Center and Pascual Zamudio Jr. of Poland.

He attended Western Reserve High School until 1996 and graduated cum laude from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematical sciences.

While at college, he was awarded the KSU Leadership Excellence and Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Blue Chip award.

After being commissioned through the Air Force ROTC program at KSU, he was selected for flight training at Pensacola, Fla., where he received his wings.

After completing the F-15E Strike Eagle flight training, he was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron “Rocketeers” at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.

He was selected for the Navy Exchange program and assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-134 “Garudas” EA-6B Prowler at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.

He is flying the F-15E and serving as director of staff for the 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters” at RAF Lakenheath, England, and returning from his fifth deployment to the Middle East.

Commander promoted

Air Force Lt. Col. Jonathan G. Downing has been selected for promotion to his current rank. He is commander of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assigned at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. He has served in the military for 14 years.

Downing graduated in 1992 from East Liverpool Christian School and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1996 from the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.

He is the son of Glenn H. and Thelma M. Downing of Wellsville.

VETERANS

Disability benefits

YOUNGSTOWN

A recent review by a Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review resulted in 61 percent of applicants having their status changed from a medical separation to retirement on the permanent-disability list.

Only a fraction of wounded veterans who could get better benefits, however, have come forward in the two years since Congress ordered the Pentagon to review disputed claims.

As of mid-March, only 921 vets had applied out of the 77,000 the Pentagon estimates are eligible. This review is open to eligible military veterans, National Guard members, any reservist with active duty time and Coast Guard veterans who received 20 percent disability severance pay or less from the DOD then received 30 percent or higher service connected disability from the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Eligible veterans can request a physical disability review by submitting an application and supporting statements, briefs, medical records or affidavits to the Department of Defense. For assistance with the review, contact Barry Landgraver at the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission at 330-740-2450.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Fire-support graduate

Army National Guard Pfc. Brandon D. Courtney has graduated from the fire-support specialist advanced individual training course at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.

The field artillery specialists serve in intelligence activities including target processing in field artillery, cannon battalions and division artillery.

In addition, students assist in the operation of laser range-finders, target designation, and night-observation devices.

He is a 2010 graduate of McKinley High School, Sebring, and is the son of Brian T. Courtney and grandson of David A. Benedetti, both of Sebring.

BASIC TRAINING

Air Force: Airman Allen R. Mason Jr. (Austintown Fitch High School, ’04), son of Judy Mason of Austintown and Allen Mason Sr. of Mineral Ridge; Airman Chad A. Bokan (Mathews High School, Vienna, ’01), son of Debbie Hayes of Boardman; Airman 1st Class Robert Gonzalez, with distinction as a honor graduate, son of Ana Gonzalez of Youngstown; Airman Brian J. Cowles (Poland Seminary High School, ’10), son of Orton and Phyllis Cowles of Poland; Reserve Airman Demetrius A. Pearson (Youngstown East High School, ’10), son of Samantha Carter of Youngstown.

Navy: Seaman Apprentice Randy G. Wilson (Campbell Memorial High School, ’06), grandson of Betty M. Bonzi of Campbell; Fireman Recruit Scott L. Bowman (Austintown Fitch, ’06), son of Shannon D. Granger of Poland and Randy L. Bowman of Austintown; Seaman Apprentice Mark L. Washington (Warren G. Harding High School, ’10), former guardian is Crystal C. Code of Warren.

Items of note for the Armed Forces Digest can be sent to The Vindicator, Regional Desk, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501-0780 or e-mailed to news@vindy.com