Murphysboro High School Alumni
Murphysboro, Illinois (IL)
Recent Members
| Brandy Mcmanaway | 2000 |
| Jack Baldwin Jack Baldwin | 2008 |
| Jacob Cowan | 2000 |
| James Dawson | 1983 |
| Jason Unterfer | 1999 |
| Linda Curtis | 2009 |
| Makayla Gerler | 2023 |
| Sue Bastien | 1962 |
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 Murphysboro High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Red Devils lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Bryan McTaggart
Class of 2001
Army, 9 Years
Helicopter Technician, two tours of Iraq.
Class of 2001
Army, 9 Years
Helicopter Technician, two tours of Iraq.
Christopher James
Class of 2002
Navy, 10 Years
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006, Chris entered the nuclear submarine force, where he is currently serving.
Class of 2002
Navy, 10 Years
After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2006, Chris entered the nuclear submarine force, where he is currently serving.
Craig Rose
Class of 2004
Army, 6 Years
Field artillery " it means i shoot cannons" deployed twice to iraq for a total of 28 months.
Class of 2004
Army, 6 Years
Field artillery " it means i shoot cannons" deployed twice to iraq for a total of 28 months.
Dan Hunsperger
Class of 2001
Air Force, 7 Years
Joined in December of 2003. Still in and plan on staying in until retirement. Job is "Security Forces". Did a 6 month deployment to Ecuador South America in support of the "War on Drugs" in 2005. Also did a 15 month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq performing convoys along side the army and training the Iraqi Police. Then became an Instructor for "Combat Skills Training" where I got people ready to head into Iraq and Afghanistan. After that, I worked as a "Raven" providing aircraft security for planes traveling into hostile areas to include providing security for Senator John McCain. Been all over the world and have enjoyed every minute of it. currently stationed in Germany as part of a Contingency Response Group.
Class of 2001
Air Force, 7 Years
Joined in December of 2003. Still in and plan on staying in until retirement. Job is "Security Forces". Did a 6 month deployment to Ecuador South America in support of the "War on Drugs" in 2005. Also did a 15 month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq performing convoys along side the army and training the Iraqi Police. Then became an Instructor for "Combat Skills Training" where I got people ready to head into Iraq and Afghanistan. After that, I worked as a "Raven" providing aircraft security for planes traveling into hostile areas to include providing security for Senator John McCain. Been all over the world and have enjoyed every minute of it. currently stationed in Germany as part of a Contingency Response Group.
Dave Randall
Class of 1970
Navy, 8 Years
Submarine service. USS Robert E Lee (SSBN-601) and USS John Marshall (SSBN-611)
Class of 1970
Navy, 8 Years
Submarine service. USS Robert E Lee (SSBN-601) and USS John Marshall (SSBN-611)
David Randall
Class of 1970
Navy, 8 Years
Submariner. USS Robert E Lee (SSBN-601) and USS John Marshall (SSBN-611). Electrician's Mate First Class/Engineering Lab Technician.
Class of 1970
Navy, 8 Years
Submariner. USS Robert E Lee (SSBN-601) and USS John Marshall (SSBN-611). Electrician's Mate First Class/Engineering Lab Technician.
Denis Elliott
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Active Duty 1984-88. Should have stayed in - wound up divorced anyway!
Class of 1975
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Active Duty 1984-88. Should have stayed in - wound up divorced anyway!
edward hopkins
Class of 2000
Navy, 8 Years
Aviation jet engine tech for F/A-18 Superhornet
Class of 2000
Navy, 8 Years
Aviation jet engine tech for F/A-18 Superhornet
Erica Jane (Darmstatter) Wheeler
Class of 1976
Air Force, 15 Years
Joined USAF in 1980, as an A.G.E. specialist.
Retrained into Disaster Preparedness(Readiness)
becam an Tecnical Instructor. Traveled the world.
Gulf War Vet, Retired in 1995.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 15 Years
Joined USAF in 1980, as an A.G.E. specialist.
Retrained into Disaster Preparedness(Readiness)
becam an Tecnical Instructor. Traveled the world.
Gulf War Vet, Retired in 1995.
Erica Jane Wheeler (Darmstatter)
Class of 1976
Air Force, 15 Years
Joined May 1980,
6 yrs as an A.G.E. mechanic, 9 yrs as a Readiness Technician, (Disaster Preparedness)
Became an Disaster Preparedness/Readiness Instructor, 1991 Gulf War Vet. Retired 1995.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 15 Years
Joined May 1980,
6 yrs as an A.G.E. mechanic, 9 yrs as a Readiness Technician, (Disaster Preparedness)
Became an Disaster Preparedness/Readiness Instructor, 1991 Gulf War Vet. Retired 1995.
Frederick A. Taylor
Class of 1977
Air Force, 24 Years
12 Years as a Security Policeman
12 Years in Logistics
Retired Master Sergeant 24 years.
Currently serving as a United States Air Force DoD Civilian with 15 years.
Class of 1977
Air Force, 24 Years
12 Years as a Security Policeman
12 Years in Logistics
Retired Master Sergeant 24 years.
Currently serving as a United States Air Force DoD Civilian with 15 years.
Gary Pinkerton
Class of 1987
Navy, 20+ Years
Gary graduated from the Naval Academy in '91 and from U of I with an MS in '93. During his 25 years in the Submarine Force, Gary served on 4 boats, including command of the USS TUCSON in Pearl Harbor.
Class of 1987
Navy, 20+ Years
Gary graduated from the Naval Academy in '91 and from U of I with an MS in '93. During his 25 years in the Submarine Force, Gary served on 4 boats, including command of the USS TUCSON in Pearl Harbor.
Gavin McDaniel
Class of 2006
National Guard, 4 Years
Just returned from Afghanistan, and is currently stationed in Wisconsin.
Class of 2006
National Guard, 4 Years
Just returned from Afghanistan, and is currently stationed in Wisconsin.
james burke
Class of 1983
Army, 6 Years
72echo combat data telecommunications center operater (radio ratt)
Class of 1983
Army, 6 Years
72echo combat data telecommunications center operater (radio ratt)
Jeffrey Scott Johnson
Class of 1984
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Enlisted in the Marines in 1985. Avionics & Flight Engineering. Attained the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). Graduated with BS from SIU-C cum laude in 2005. Retired in 2007. Deployed/supported 2 major combat operations. 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Desert Storm & 2nd Marine Regiment-Enduring Freedom. Recruiter Supervisor Cape Girardeau Sub-Station from 1992-2000. Awarded United States Air Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Retiring to Cape Girardeau Missouri 2008 with supportive and beloved family.
Class of 1984
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Enlisted in the Marines in 1985. Avionics & Flight Engineering. Attained the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). Graduated with BS from SIU-C cum laude in 2005. Retired in 2007. Deployed/supported 2 major combat operations. 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Desert Storm & 2nd Marine Regiment-Enduring Freedom. Recruiter Supervisor Cape Girardeau Sub-Station from 1992-2000. Awarded United States Air Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Retiring to Cape Girardeau Missouri 2008 with supportive and beloved family.
Jim Brown
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 20+ Years
Retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant
Joey Ritcheson
Class of 2006
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Currently serving a tour of duty in Iraq, will return home sometime in March 2010.
Class of 2006
Marine Corps, 3 Years
Currently serving a tour of duty in Iraq, will return home sometime in March 2010.
michael patrick reilly
Class of 1977
National Guard, 20+ Years
Retired from Illinois National Guard in October 2011. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and served on Operation Noble Eagle in 2003-2004.
Class of 1977
National Guard, 20+ Years
Retired from Illinois National Guard in October 2011. Deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 and served on Operation Noble Eagle in 2003-2004.
michael reilly
Class of 1977
National Guard, 20+ Years
I joined the Illinois National Guard in 1984 and graduated from OCS (Officer Candidate School) in July 88. Currently, serving @ Afghanistan and expect to be promoted to Major before I retire.
Class of 1977
National Guard, 20+ Years
I joined the Illinois National Guard in 1984 and graduated from OCS (Officer Candidate School) in July 88. Currently, serving @ Afghanistan and expect to be promoted to Major before I retire.
Mike Dobbs
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served all over the world and loved every minute of it!
Class of 1975
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served all over the world and loved every minute of it!
Randall T. Sumner
Class of 1987
Army, 20+ Years
Joined in 1988 as an M1A1 Armor Crewman. Currently a Command Sergeant Major and retiring in 2010. Deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, and three tours in Iraq. Stationed in Fort Carson CO, Friedberg Germany, Fort Knox KY, Baunholder Germany, Hohenfels Germany, Fort Stewart, GA, and Hohenfels Germany for 2nd time. Three Bronze Star medals, one with a Valor device. Army was a great choice and for those that knew me in High School - you wouldn't believe who I came. Students reading this, the military chnaged my life and I wouldn't change a thing. Traveled, friends all over the world, finacially secure, and finally graduated from College.
Class of 1987
Army, 20+ Years
Joined in 1988 as an M1A1 Armor Crewman. Currently a Command Sergeant Major and retiring in 2010. Deployed to Bosnia, Kosovo, and three tours in Iraq. Stationed in Fort Carson CO, Friedberg Germany, Fort Knox KY, Baunholder Germany, Hohenfels Germany, Fort Stewart, GA, and Hohenfels Germany for 2nd time. Three Bronze Star medals, one with a Valor device. Army was a great choice and for those that knew me in High School - you wouldn't believe who I came. Students reading this, the military chnaged my life and I wouldn't change a thing. Traveled, friends all over the world, finacially secure, and finally graduated from College.
Rick Clayton
Class of 1992
Army, 15 Years
15 Years in the ARMY Infantry
Current Rank
Duty positon: Aide de Camp
Currently Serving in Afghanistan
Class of 1992
Army, 15 Years
15 Years in the ARMY Infantry
Current Rank
Duty positon: Aide de Camp
Currently Serving in Afghanistan
Troy Biggs
Class of 1989
Army, 18 Years
10 years active duty and 8 years with the national guard. Currently the 1st SGT at Carbondale. Deploying to Afghanistan in late Sept 2008.
Class of 1989
Army, 18 Years
10 years active duty and 8 years with the national guard. Currently the 1st SGT at Carbondale. Deploying to Afghanistan in late Sept 2008.
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Murphysboro High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Red Devils.
School News
Do you have any news to share? Keep our classmates informed on news and current events! Please post all reunion information in the reunion area.
Our Murphysboro 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 Murphysboro High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Murphysboro are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!