Benton High School Alumni
St Joseph, Missouri (MO)
Recent Members
| Donna Williams | 1952 |
| Hannah Stewart Hannah Stewart | 2019 |
| John Severe | 1968 |
| Kris Kobett | 1968 |
| Rosalie Jordan | 2020 |
| Scott Sollars | 1976 |
| Tayber Deroin | 2013 |
| Teresa A Sanders Nelson | 2004 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Benton High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Cardinals lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Adam Gregory Bolonyi
Class of 1979
Navy, 8 Years
Served 8+yrs in the USN. 6 of those years were spent on the very same ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) which I made 3 different Western Pacific deployments on. Was off the coast of Iran as part of the task force overseeing the release of the 53 American hostages in the 1981. Was also in Beirut, Lebanon as a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force, in which 100's of U.S. Marines were attacked by a suicide bomber who breached the entrance to the barracks they had been sleeping in. The terrorist obviously took his own life in the act along with numerous Marines, who, like I, were there not to engage in battle but to "attempt" to keep the peace between 3 warring Muslim factions.
Class of 1979
Navy, 8 Years
Served 8+yrs in the USN. 6 of those years were spent on the very same ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) which I made 3 different Western Pacific deployments on. Was off the coast of Iran as part of the task force overseeing the release of the 53 American hostages in the 1981. Was also in Beirut, Lebanon as a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force, in which 100's of U.S. Marines were attacked by a suicide bomber who breached the entrance to the barracks they had been sleeping in. The terrorist obviously took his own life in the act along with numerous Marines, who, like I, were there not to engage in battle but to "attempt" to keep the peace between 3 warring Muslim factions.
Adam Gregory Bolonyi
Class of 1979
Navy, 8 Years
Served 8+yrs in the USN. 6 of those years were spent on the very same ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) which I made 3 different Western Pacific deployments on. Was off the coast of Iran as part of the task force overseeing the release of the 53 American hostages in the 1981. Was also in Beirut, Lebanon as a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force, in which 100's of U.S. Marines were attacked by a suicide bomber who breached the entrance to the barracks they had been sleeping in. The terrorist obviously took his own life in the act along with numerous Marines, who, like I, were there not to engage in battle but to "attempt" to keep the peace between 3 warring Muslim factions.
Class of 1979
Navy, 8 Years
Served 8+yrs in the USN. 6 of those years were spent on the very same ship, the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) which I made 3 different Western Pacific deployments on. Was off the coast of Iran as part of the task force overseeing the release of the 53 American hostages in the 1981. Was also in Beirut, Lebanon as a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force, in which 100's of U.S. Marines were attacked by a suicide bomber who breached the entrance to the barracks they had been sleeping in. The terrorist obviously took his own life in the act along with numerous Marines, who, like I, were there not to engage in battle but to "attempt" to keep the peace between 3 warring Muslim factions.
Bob Mejia
Class of 1951
Air Force, 4 Years
I served my country from February, 1952 to January 1956. I became a Munitions and Special Weapons Specialist after training at Lackland AFB TX, Nellis AFB NV, Fort Campbell KY, I served one year in the Korean War applying some of those skills from July 1952 until July 1953 then the remainder of my enlistment based out of Turner AFB GA on regular TDY'S to Eglin AFB FL., England, France, and North Africa, working in the nuclear weapons loading field. This enabled me to acquire my B.S and later an M. Ed. Degree from MIZZOU.
Class of 1951
Air Force, 4 Years
I served my country from February, 1952 to January 1956. I became a Munitions and Special Weapons Specialist after training at Lackland AFB TX, Nellis AFB NV, Fort Campbell KY, I served one year in the Korean War applying some of those skills from July 1952 until July 1953 then the remainder of my enlistment based out of Turner AFB GA on regular TDY'S to Eglin AFB FL., England, France, and North Africa, working in the nuclear weapons loading field. This enabled me to acquire my B.S and later an M. Ed. Degree from MIZZOU.
Bob Mejia
Class of 1951
Air Force, 4 Years
USAF Korean War 1952-1953. Senior airman. Munitions and Special Weapons Specialist from 1953 to 1956. USA, Europe, Africa.
Class of 1951
Air Force, 4 Years
USAF Korean War 1952-1953. Senior airman. Munitions and Special Weapons Specialist from 1953 to 1956. USA, Europe, Africa.
Charles Crockett
Class of 1990
Air Force, 16 Years
Currently deployed (13th time, 8 to the desert)
Class of 1990
Air Force, 16 Years
Currently deployed (13th time, 8 to the desert)
David M Delk Sr
Class of 1967
Air Force, 8 Years
I served in the USAF as an Air Traffic Control Operator then Supervisor. Started off at Lackland AFB, TX then on to Biloxi, MS for ATC School for 18 weeks. My first Duty assignment was at McConnel AFB, Wichita, KS. After 2 years at McConnel AFB I received orders for Viet Nam, so I spent 1 year at Phu Cat AFB, Republic of Viet Nam. My next orders sent me to (of all places to go in December) Minot, ND and was that a shock to my system coming from a tropical climate to the coldest winters I had ever experienced. Well after 2 and 1/2 years at Minot, I put in for my base of preference as either Hawaii or Arizona, well I ended up in Tucson at Davis Monthan, AFB where I spent my last years in the Air Force and decided to get out.
Class of 1967
Air Force, 8 Years
I served in the USAF as an Air Traffic Control Operator then Supervisor. Started off at Lackland AFB, TX then on to Biloxi, MS for ATC School for 18 weeks. My first Duty assignment was at McConnel AFB, Wichita, KS. After 2 years at McConnel AFB I received orders for Viet Nam, so I spent 1 year at Phu Cat AFB, Republic of Viet Nam. My next orders sent me to (of all places to go in December) Minot, ND and was that a shock to my system coming from a tropical climate to the coldest winters I had ever experienced. Well after 2 and 1/2 years at Minot, I put in for my base of preference as either Hawaii or Arizona, well I ended up in Tucson at Davis Monthan, AFB where I spent my last years in the Air Force and decided to get out.
Dennis Marshall
Class of 2000
Army, 3 Years
Currently serving in the US Army Reserves as an Ammunition Specialist
Class of 2000
Army, 3 Years
Currently serving in the US Army Reserves as an Ammunition Specialist
Dennis McLaughlin
Class of 1963
Army, 4 Years
Served as LRRP/Ranger in Vietnam 1968-1969.
Class of 1963
Army, 4 Years
Served as LRRP/Ranger in Vietnam 1968-1969.
Edward Eugene McClellan
Class of 1966
Army, 2 Years
Proudly served in the US Army 1st Cav Div as a Combat Engineer. Killed in the line of duty during the TET offensive on February 29th, 1968 in Vietnam. Promoted to Sergeant after his death. Awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart. A true Hero and Soldier's Soldier!
Class of 1966
Army, 2 Years
Proudly served in the US Army 1st Cav Div as a Combat Engineer. Killed in the line of duty during the TET offensive on February 29th, 1968 in Vietnam. Promoted to Sergeant after his death. Awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart. A true Hero and Soldier's Soldier!
Jennifer Lynn Wood (Perkins)
Class of 1995
Army Reserves, 8 Years
Jennifer joined the Army Reserves before she graduated Benton High School. She did her basic training shortly after her graduation...
Class of 1995
Army Reserves, 8 Years
Jennifer joined the Army Reserves before she graduated Benton High School. She did her basic training shortly after her graduation...
Jerry Dean Sullivan
Class of 1974
Marine Corps, 13 Years
I sign up for the Marine Corps delay program on my 18th birthday 3/31/74, enter boot camp Sept of 1974. until 1980 Serving at Camp Pendleton, Ca. Okinawa Japan in 1976 and Ending up at El Toro. MCAS
I spent 2 years in Kansas National Guards at Tory Kansas and 5 years in the Navy Reserves In Saint Joseph.MO.
Class of 1974
Marine Corps, 13 Years
I sign up for the Marine Corps delay program on my 18th birthday 3/31/74, enter boot camp Sept of 1974. until 1980 Serving at Camp Pendleton, Ca. Okinawa Japan in 1976 and Ending up at El Toro. MCAS
I spent 2 years in Kansas National Guards at Tory Kansas and 5 years in the Navy Reserves In Saint Joseph.MO.
Melissa Martin
Class of 2005
Air Force, 4 Years
Communications Signals Intelligence Operator
Class of 2005
Air Force, 4 Years
Communications Signals Intelligence Operator
Michael Conard
Class of 1986
Air Force, 14 Years
Critical Care Specialist 92-96 Keesler AFB
Chief Flight Medic 96-04 180th Airlift
Deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom
Flt Medic 442nd Fighter Wing 04 to Present
Class of 1986
Air Force, 14 Years
Critical Care Specialist 92-96 Keesler AFB
Chief Flight Medic 96-04 180th Airlift
Deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom
Flt Medic 442nd Fighter Wing 04 to Present
Patrick Ezzell
Class of 1986
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Seved in a F-4 Squadron. VMFA 235 Kaneohe Hawaii
Class of 1986
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Seved in a F-4 Squadron. VMFA 235 Kaneohe Hawaii
Rick Martinez
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Served 1983-2007,83-88 US Army Infantry, 88-07 US Army Ordnance Corps
Desert Sheild/Storm 90-91
OIFI-II 03-04/OIF V-VI 06-07
Class of 1974
Army, 20+ Years
Served 1983-2007,83-88 US Army Infantry, 88-07 US Army Ordnance Corps
Desert Sheild/Storm 90-91
OIFI-II 03-04/OIF V-VI 06-07
Rodney Sears JR
Class of 2006
Army, 6 Years
Currently serving as a 88M (Motor Transport Operator) Getting January 2012, that will make it 6 years total
Class of 2006
Army, 6 Years
Currently serving as a 88M (Motor Transport Operator) Getting January 2012, that will make it 6 years total
ronnie burks
Class of 1971
Army, 20+ Years
I served in the military for a total of 24 years retiring from the Army reserves at the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). I first enlisted in the USAF serving in the Security Police during the close of the Vietnam era right out of high school and served 10 years on active duty. I re-enlisted in the US army reserves and served 14years as infantry tow gunner and Military Police Investigator up to my retirement.
Class of 1971
Army, 20+ Years
I served in the military for a total of 24 years retiring from the Army reserves at the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). I first enlisted in the USAF serving in the Security Police during the close of the Vietnam era right out of high school and served 10 years on active duty. I re-enlisted in the US army reserves and served 14years as infantry tow gunner and Military Police Investigator up to my retirement.
Russell McCamy
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
Pathfinder 101st Airborne Division 1968 to July 4th 1970
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
Pathfinder 101st Airborne Division 1968 to July 4th 1970
Stephen R simmons
Class of 1965
Air Force, 4 Years
Served 4/68 to 12/71. Weapons control systems for Phantom F4-E fighter jets. Did a tour in Danang Vietnam Nam 1971
Class of 1965
Air Force, 4 Years
Served 4/68 to 12/71. Weapons control systems for Phantom F4-E fighter jets. Did a tour in Danang Vietnam Nam 1971
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Benton High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Cardinals.
School News
Class of 67 Picnic by the Lake!
BHS Class of 1967 Picnic by the Lake
All classmates class of 1967 are invited to our Picnic by the Lake on Septem...
Read More »
Our Benton 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 Benton High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in St Joseph are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!