Military Alumni

Military High School Alumni

Honoring Our Heroes

This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!

Lost Class Rings

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Honored Military Alumni

Aaron Jackson
Aaron Jackson
Class of 1989
Air Force, 17 Years

Was an Air Force Security Forces Member Active Duty and Reserves from the time of graduation until 2008. That year I switched to the Army and leaving in 2012. Seen a lot of the the world including two tours to the middle east. The last deployment I was NCOIC of exterior combat patrols 2005-2006 Iraq.
Amy Merz Johnston
Amy Merz Johnston
Class of 1960
Army, 20+ Years

Air Force Brat. Went to nursing school, joined the army as a nurse. Served with the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. Got out of the service, got married, had a son, went back to school for BSN, rejoined the Army, went to Desert Shield/Desert Storm 1990-91. Retired from Army 1995.
Barry L. Phillips
Barry L. Phillips
Class of 1964
Army, 20+ Years

Served as Chaplain from commissioning in March, 1980, until retired by age in October, 2006. Had total of 13 years active service and 13 years active reserve. One service ribbon for Operation Joint Endeavor/Joint Guard (Bosnia). In area of combat one time-fifteen seconds-Septembe, 1985, unit was bombed in Germany.
Ben Tarsitano
Ben Tarsitano
Class of 1970
Air Force, 13 Years

USAF Dental/Medical Corps, Lt. Col.
Brian Zeifang
Brian Zeifang
Class of 1995
Marine Corps, 24 Years

Joined the Marine Corps in 1997 and just recently retired after 24 years as a 1stSgt and moved back to the area.
Charles Marlin Hays
Charles Marlin Hays
Class of 1962
Army, 2 Years

Drafted 1965. Served 14 months in Vietnam. 1966-1967
Charles Smith
Charles Smith
Class of 1965
Navy, 4 Years

Server for four years in US Navy as a Boatswain Mate Served on three ships and a tour in Vietnam 1968-69
Christopher D Meece
Christopher D Meece
Class of 1988
Army, 12 Years

Joined the USMC as a Combat Engineer in 1987. Spent 4 years on active duty and drilled in the IRR for 2 years. Then I took a 10 year break and joined the Army in 2002 and I am a flying Crew Chief on UH-60 Blackhawks. I am currently in a MEDEVAC company stationed in Germany. Lets see, served in Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Eastern Exit, Operation Provide Comfort all in the USMC. In the Army, Immediate Response, Operation Iraqi Freedom (twice) started the third deployment then took the NESTEA plunge off the top of the aircraft and smashed up my face, arm, and pelvis real good but I am all back together and as sexy as ever. Now seeing that our President (elect) thinks he will get us out of Iraq, well then should be in Afghanistan within a year. "And that's all I have to say about that"
curtis j. heck
curtis j. heck
Class of 1968
Army, 2 Years

basic training- Fort Cambel, ky. ait - Fort Sill, okla. vietnam - 1970-1971
Dale Martin
Dale Martin
Class of 1978
Marine Corps, 4 Years

I enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of '78' while attending Parkland Jr College. I spent my four year enlistment in Weapons Company of the 1st Battallion 9th Marines. I was stationed initially in Okinawa, Japan and shipped back and forth from there to Camp Pendleton in Southern California before existing the Corps in Jan 1983.
Dave "Mick" Micheletti
Dave "Mick" Micheletti
Class of 1980
Air Force, 20+ Years

Hello Alumni! I entered active duty in early 1986 and spent 20 years as a Space Operations Officer assigned to Los Angeles AFB, Shemya AFB AK, Lowry AFB CO, Schriever AFB CO, Cheyenne Mountain AFS CO (NORAD), and Maxwell AFB AL. Retired in 2006 and now a military contractor living in Colorado Springs CO.
David Adams
David Adams
Class of 1980
Air Force, 4 Years

After Basic Training and Tech School at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. I served my entire time at the Pentagon. Thanks to the quality education that I received during my 7 years in Rantoul....
David Meece
David Meece
Class of 1989
Air Force, 20+ Years

Joined the IL Army National Guard in Oct '88 and spent 9 yrs as an 11B. In 1997 I joined the IL Air National Guard with the 182 AW in Peoria, IL. I worked in CE as a power production specialist until Oct '00. I was selected for commissioning with the 182 ASOC and commissioned in Feb '01. After Intelligence school I was a traditional ANG member until Mar '03 when I went full time. From Mar '03 to Sep '06 I was an instructor at the ANG commissioning school in Knoxville, TN. In Sep '06 I went to DC to serve as an executive offcer. In Aug of '08 I went back to the intelligence field. I am the Branch Chief, ISR Training and a newly qualified SMIC with an MQ-1 Predator unit. I am currently waiting promotion to Major.
Dayvon McCarrell
Dayvon McCarrell
Class of 1992
Air Force, 10 Years

Surveillance RADAR Technician for AWACS. Deployed in Operation Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Oman, Eskan Village, Operation IRAQI Freedom, South America, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Eagle Assist, and now I get to rest and teach today's Airman at Sheppard AFB, TX. Currently, I am a Technical School Instructor.
Dennis Beauvais
Dennis Beauvais
Class of 1964
Army, 4 Years

Japan, Vietnam and Philippine Islands. U. S. Army Intelligence.
Prior to that-18 years as a U. S. Air Force dependent from Honolulu, Dover, Chanute and numerous others.
DON  O. FLEMING
DON O. FLEMING
Class of 1969
Army, 15 Years

I WAS DRAFTED IN 69 SO I WENT AND INLISTED AND WENT TO VIETNAM IN THE 11TH/ACR, I FOUGHT IN CAMBODIA, AND THE NAM . I WAS WOUNDED TWICE AND DECORATED SEVERAL TIMES FOR NOT.
Ed Breen
Ed Breen
Class of 1985
Air Force, 20+ Years

Joined AF in Jan 1987. Following Basic Training at Lackland I completed Dental Assistant training at Sheppard AFB. I was assigned to Andersen AFB, Guam from 1987-1989. From there I was sent to Clark AB, Philippines until 1991 when Mt. Pinatubo erupted and closed both Clark and Subic Bay. My family and I then went to Homestead AFB, Fl. South of Miami until 1992 following Hurricane Andrew which sent usto Nellis AFB, Nv in sunny Las Vegas for 8 years. In 2000 we went to our final assignment in Okinawa, Japan. Retiring as a SMSgt in 2008 after 21 yrs 8 months and 15 days of service. I enjoyed the travelling,and the many friends and extended family we made and met over the years. I am know in El Paso, Tx continuing to serve our nations Veterans in the VA clinic.
Ernesto Bituin
Ernesto Bituin
Class of 1992
Air Force, 20+ Years

Joined the USAF in April 19, 1995 & retired on April 30, 2015. I served as Services Specialist for 20 years & 12 days. I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, SDa, Yokota AB, Japan, Bolling AFB, DC, McConnell AFB, KS, Kunsan AB, Korea & MacDill AFB, FL. Deployed to Cairo, Egypt, Germany, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq.
James D. Matlock
James D. Matlock
Class of 1967
Army, 4 Years

Jim was a chopper pilot in Vietnam. I wrote about him on this site years ago. He visited me about ten years ago and died soon after. He said the Viet Cong would fire straight up, wounding him and other chopper pilots in the hips and legs. He was so good and kind, and brave the way real heroes are brave--quietly. I miss him still.
JEFF STUBBLEFIELD
JEFF STUBBLEFIELD
Class of 1988
Air Force, 20+ Years

JUST RETIRED AFTER 20+ YEARS AND TO MANY CAMPAIGNS.
Jeff Thornton
Jeff Thornton
Class of 1987
Air Force, 14 Years

Currently a Major in the Air Force Reserve (full-time) working at the HQ Air Force Command in Current Operations. Did first 10 years on Active Duty then transferred to the Reserves as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). Specialty is Space & Missile Operations with assignments at Minot AFB ND, Vandenberg AFB CA, Schriever AFB CO, HQ European Command in Stuttgart Germany and now Peterson AFB CO.
Jim Neaves
Jim Neaves
Class of 1963
Navy, 6 Years

Submarine duty
Joel Hembach
Joel Hembach
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years

Joined right after HS.
Jet Engine Mechanic
Stationed at Nellis AFB, NV; Elmendorf AFB, AK; Wurtsmith AFB, MI; Keflavik NAS, Iceland; Hickam AFB, HI and finally Elmendorf again. Spent 3 years as contract Engine Mechanic for Lockheed and Lear-Siegler at RAF Lakenheath, UK and Kelly AFB, TX.
Joseph Williams
Joseph Williams
Class of 1967
Air Force, 6 Years

Autopilot Specialist, 1968-74 Sgt.
Vietnam 70-71 F4D
Katie Bolser
Katie Bolser
Class of 1986
Marine Corps, 4 Years

29 Palms, Camp Pendleton and am a Desert Storm Combat Veteran.
Kyle Farmer
Kyle Farmer
Class of 2008
Marine Corps, 5 Years

Graduated Class of 08
Served 2 years in MCSF( Marine Corps Security Forces) FAST and 3 years Infantry as an 0311.
With the Island Warriors
Kyle Lanto
Kyle Lanto
Class of 1995
Air Force, 7 Years

I have been Active Duty in the USAF for the past 7 years, graduated pilot training in '04, & am flying the A-10C Warthog with the 74th Fighter Squadron Flying Tigers.
Latricia Long
Latricia Long
Class of 1988
Air Force, 17 Years

I served three years active duty Army. I switched over to the AirForce Reserve, then the Navy Reserve, last stop AirForce National Guard in which I am Active duty. I work as a Resource Advisor; my career field is Finance.
Mark ohrwall
Mark ohrwall
Class of 1980
Air Force, 11 Years

Four years active-duty with strategic air command six years Air Guard
Michael Basehart
Michael Basehart
Class of 1964
Air Force, 6 Years

Upon graduating from HS, I enlisted in the USAF. Because I had learned to fly at the Chanute AFB aero club when I was in HS, I was chosen to be a T-38 simulator pilot. The T-38 is still used used to today to train AF pilots. I was very fortunate to have been selected to be an instructor because the role prior to the Vietnam war performed by commissioned AF pilot officers. However, because of the tremendous shortage of pilots during the Vietnam war, I was fortunate to get a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was an honor to teach the student pilots, many who went on to fight in the Vietnam war and perished. One major highlight was I had the privilege to teach Joseph Allen, a NASA astronaut. I was a very accomplished instructor and look back as the most satisfying and rewarding job I have had.
Michael Basehart
Michael Basehart
Class of 1964
Air Force, 6 Years

I had learned to fly and got my pilot license when I was 16 at Chanute AFB aero club. When I enlisted in the AF after high school, I was selected to be a T-38 simulator instructor at Vance AFB in Enid, Oklahoma. The instructor role was ordinarily performed by commissioned AF officer pilots but because of the shortage of pilots during the Vietnam war a few of us from the enlisted ranks were chosen to be instructors. I was passionate about being the best instructor and sought out by students to be their instructor. One notable student was Joseph Allen, a NASA astronaut. I also trained several Iranian and Iraq students, which was challenging with the Iraq students but the Iranian student were all-in with doing their best and were pleasant to deal with.

Best job I ever had.
Michael Day
Michael Day
Class of 1962
Army, 4 Years

Vietnam-Explosives Specialist
Mike Lowery
Mike Lowery
Class of 1970
Army, 3 Years

Vietnam Era Vet. 1972 - 1975
Mykal Anstrom
Mykal Anstrom
Class of 2008
Air Force, 4 Years

USAF Security Forces 08-current
Parker Wolf
Parker Wolf
Class of 1989
Navy, 4 Years

Enlisted into the Navy in 1992 as an Airman & worked as a Plane Captain in an antisubmarine helicopter squadron at NAS North Island (San Diego) until 1994 when I went to Hospital Corpsman school in San Diego & spent the next 2 years as a Corpsman in northern CA (Lemoore) & GTMO. I was honorably discharged in 1996.
Paul Platis
Paul Platis
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years

Artillery Recon Sargent, VietNam 69-70
US Army Germany 71
Rocky Bundy
Rocky Bundy
Class of 1998
Marine Corps, 4 Years

Fire Fighter
Rodhey W/ Byrd
Rodhey W/ Byrd
Class of 1980
Navy, 20+ Years

Joined the U S Navy in Nov 1980. Stationed aboard USS Donald B Beary ff-1085 1981-84. Accepted to the Navy's RM (Radioman) School and attended shooling from DEC 84-MAY 85. Stationed at then Navcams Eastpac Hononlulu Jun 85 - Nov 88. Attended Navy C7 advance communications schooling Dec 88- Apr 89 and off to a remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean known as Diego Garcia. Fot those who do not know of this island, this is where we launched the Stealth bombers from in the First Iraq war. 1 year tour and back east for schooling and the USS Petterson 89-93, Instructor duty 93-96 at Dam Neck Va. Overseas duty again at Nas Sigonella Sicily 96-98. The best thing about going overseas was the individual i met while flying to either Diego Garcia or NAS Sigonella Sicily (NCTS Signella) was met a Rantoul Alumni, it was mostly quiet during the flight, we got to talking finding out what eachother did and where we were going, finally we got talking about where we were from...i can remember the conversation to this day...won't go into it, but you can imagine the look on our faces when we said Rantoul, Il and RTHS, Come to find out we were 2 years apart in graduation classes and basically every name we called out the other knew. that was exciting and showed how small the world really is. I can't remember his name, but if he remembers this conversation it would be good to get in contact with him...I am retired from the Navy, so i am pretty sure he is as well.
Two last Duty stations..Uss Arthur W Radford and NCTS Washington DC.
Sue Ann Ford
Sue Ann Ford
Class of 1978
Air Force, 9 Years

Air Force Brat; Active duty 1980 - 1989.
Reprographics Specialist.
Air Force Tops In Blue.
1983 Best Female Vocalist in Air Force.
Sue Ann Ford
Sue Ann Ford
Class of 1978
Air Force, 9 Years

Reprographics Specialist.

Air Force "Tops In Blue".

Classmates Spotlight

Rantoul Township High School Classmates

Carla Groves
Class of '77

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Our Rantoul Township High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Rantoul Township High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Rantoul are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!