Shipmates honor LV sailor

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004 | 8:24 a.m.

Raymond Bone, a sailor aboard the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious command ship USS Pearl Harbor, was recently recognized as sailor of the quarter out of crew of nearly 400 men and women aboard the ship, which then puts him in the running for the ship's sailor of the year award.

According to a Navy Public Affairs Center, San Diego, release, Bone, the son of Judy Dressler of Las Vegas, was selected because he is someone who portrays what a sailor is and should be.

"I wanted to go to college, but my grades in high school were not that good," said Bone in an interview with Navy public affairs specialist Paul Cage, "I also couldn't afford tuition, so I decided to join the Navy to get money for school and to better my life."

Three years later Bone looks back on his decision and is glad he made the choice. The Las Vegas sailor, a quartermaster 3rd class, serves as a helmsman and performs ship control, navigation and bridge duty.

"Out of the jobs that I was given to choose from, this was the most appealing to me," said Bone. The Pearl Harbor is the first ship he has served on since joining the Navy. Since joining the Pearl Harbor crew he has traveled around the Pacific to Sydney, Australia, and lesser-known places such as Tongatapu, Tonga, in the South Pacific.

"It's been awesome," said Bone. "When we arrived in Tongatapu, it was the king's birthday so the island was throwing a huge party. The island is small, so small you can walk across it in 30 minutes. But you better be careful, most of the island is quicksand."

Pearl Harbor Command Master Chief Norman Pretlow said the criteria for sailor of the quarter for Pearl Harbor is tough, but it's designed that way to choose the best of the best.

"The first class petty officers on the board are the ones that conduct the board," said Pretlow. "Bone stood out because he is a third class petty officer doing the job of a first class. He will put in any amount of time to get the task put before him done. He is a sailor that has stepped up and deserves to be recognized for it."

Las Vegas Marines in Iraq

At least six Las Vegas Marines are part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Iraqi Security Forces that recently captured four suspected anti-Iraqi militants in northern Babil province, according to a recent Navy Hometown News Center release.

Deployed with the 24th MEU are Western High School 2002 graduate Cpl. Ernest Villegas, son of Michelle and Ernesto Villegas; Las Vegas High School 2001 graduate Cpl. Iliana Diaz, daughter of Maria and Jose Diaz; Sgt. C. A. Raggio, son of Gloria Pence; Christopher Bucknam, son of Carleton Bucknam; and Sgt. Nicholas Barshick, grandson of Gene Ferbedino.

Since assuming operational control of northern Babil this summer, the Marines of the 24th have worked closely with Iraqi forces to disrupt criminal and insurgency activity in the area. To date, they have captured more than 160 individuals throughout the province.

In brief