Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Born: Winchester, MA Hometown: Wilmington, MA. Ken completed boot camp at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, IL in November 1995. Following boot camp, he com-pleted Seaman “ATD” School in Great Lakes, IL December, 1995. His first duty assignment was onboard the USS Os-prey MHC-51 in Ingleside, TX, where he completed three deployments, and advanced to Petty Officer Third Class. After a successful tour onboard the USS Osprey, he trans-ferred to Navy Cargo Handling and Port Group in Williamsburg, VA. During this tour, he attended Instructor train-ing School and facilitated the Command and Control and Cargo Handling Supervisors courses. In 2003, he trans-ferred to Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic Fleet for staff duty, where he served as the Admiral's Barge Coxswain. After a successful three year tour, he was assigned to Inshore Boat Unit 24 in Fort Dix, NJ. While in IBU-24 MESRON2 Boat Det B he deployed numerous times in support of OIF/OEF. There, he earned his Expeditionary Warfare Specialist device. Once his tour with MESRON 2 ended, he was happy to transfer to Navy Operational Support Center Manchester in Londonderry, NH where he could cheer on his beloved New England Patriots, as the Leading Petty Officer and Training Officer, and selected for advancement to Chief Petty Officer. After taking over as the Command Leading Chief Petty Officer, he took orders to Coastal Riverine Squadron Eight as the Sen-ior Enlisted Leader of HVU Detachment in Groton, CT and selected to Senior Chief. At the completion of that tour, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader at Navy Operational Support Center New London in Groton, CT, and selected to Master Chief during his tenure there. Master Chief MacDonald’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal two awards, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal nine awards, Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Antarctic Service Medal.

Spouse: Meaghan MacDonald Children: Lorelai MacDonald and Jason MacDonald Siblings: Amy MacDonald, Crys-tal Sullivan and Gail Belcher.

A Lewes, Delaware native, Joseph also held an Associate in Applied Science - Turf Management Degree from Delaware Technical and Community College. Prior to joining the Navy, Joseph used his education with work on golf courses and in pest control. But he had the most fun spending many summers in the concession stand at a local waterpark.? He was a talented athlete who enjoyed analyzing and watching sports as much as playing them. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies, and Wawa, but hated that he couldn’t get a good hoagie or a Yuengling in Southern California. When he wasn’t on duty, Joseph enjoyed playing golf and finding new ways to experiment in the kitchen.

Our son Michael (EMFA -Electricians Mate Fireman Apprentice), affectionately known as Jamel was a proud member of the United States Navy. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his shipmates (onboard the USS Kitty Hawk) and worked on his qualifications with fervor. He was known as one who was eager to learn and serve His country, which prompted one of his commanding officers to remark, "That man was raised right." He was appreciated by his division, and performed his duties with talent and enthusiasm.

Jamel will best be remembered as a fun-loving, quick-witted young man who enjoyed seeing the lighter side of life. He was a leader among his peers and was looked up to by family and friends alike. He especially loved and adored his sisters.

His loss at the outset of Operation Enduring Freedom (being the 6^th casualty) was a devasting blow, yet we are and have been comforted with divine strength and are encouraged with the knowledge that his life touched so many. To us, as it is inscribed on his headstone, he was ‘outstanding’.