Purple Heart award

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Capt. Jonathan Towle, the grandson of Louise Towle of Bangor and the late Frederick Towle, has received the Purple Heart and the Aerial Heroism medal for “heroic achievement in military flight” on Nov. 11, 2004, in support of Iraqi Freedom II.

Towle was serving as commander of an AH-1W Attack Helicopter while attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central.

While conducting close air support and security missions during Operation Phantom Fallujah in Al Fallujah, Iraq, Towle received a direct hit from a surface-to-air missile. After assessing the critical battle damage from the enemy engagement, he turned the aircraft away from enemy positions to the last known secure area.

Despite grave injuries, his citation read, Towle remained focused on executing a safe landing to ensure the recovery of the aircrew and to minimize additional damage to the aircraft. In the critical landing stage, he had the presence of mind to clear the friendly forces’ position before jettisoning the external ordnance on the aircraft.

He quickly alerted the lead aircraft to notify the ground combat units that the aircraft would be executing an emergency landing less than 100 feet from a convoy that had been stalled due to multiple improvised explosive devices at an enemy ambush site. As the aircraft continued to descend, he maneuvered the battle-damaged aircraft to an open field next to the friendly ground convoy unit and expertly landed the aircraft, preventing further damage to the aircraft and saving the crew of Misfit 22.

By his “skillful airmanship, steadfast aggressiveness and exemplary devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Captain Towle reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.”

Towle, who has a bachelor’s degree in engineering, is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science at Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif.

Basic training

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Justin Preston graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2005 graduate of Hamp-

den Academy, he is the son of Dennis and Laura Preston of Hampden.

SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Ryan F. Toomey graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base. A 2005 graduate of Bangor High School, he is the son of Michele Fournier of Little Deer Isle, and Fred Toomey of Augusta, Ga.

GROTON, Conn. – Navy Seaman Recruit Justin Ivey has graduated from the Basic Enlisted Submarine Course in Groton, Conn. A 2003 graduate of Bangor High School, Ivey is the son of Michelle Ivey of Bangor.

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Marine Corps Pvt. Kenny Moore of Bangor recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. He is a 1998 graduate of Bangor High School.

PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. – Marine Corp Pfc. Nicholas Buchanan recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island. A 2005 graduate of Bangor High School, he is the son of Susan Townsend of Bangor and Andrew Buchanan of Enfield.

Activated

BREWER – Army National Guard Spc. Craig Gibson has been mobilized and activated for future deployment in support of Iraqi Freedom. A health care specialist with two years of military service, Gibson is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Mountain Infantry, Brewer. He is the son of Andrew and Nancy Gibson of Pittsfield.

BREWER – Army National Guard Pvt. Carl Davis has been mobilized and activated for future deployment in support of Iraqi Freedom. He is a driver with one year of military service assigned in Brewer. He is the son of Robert Davis of Dover-Foxcroft and Peggy Beck of Lewiston.

‘Now’ interview

MILO – Marine Staff Sgt. David Marino of Milo was interviewed in a film about U.S. troops in Iraq made by photographer, writer and filmmaker Brian Palmer.

The film aired April 2 as a segment of the PBS program “Now,” with host David Brancaccio. When the film was made, Marino was stationed in Hit, Iraq. To read Palmer’s report of the time he spent with the Marines there, visit http://bxnyc.typepad.com/fromnyc/2006/02/hitreport.html.