MILITARY

Students of Springfield, Massachusetts, history may know the name Joseph Budd as the first African American in the city's police department to achieve the rank of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Less well known was Budd's service in the U.S. military. He served during World War II in a racially segregated unit called the Montford Point Marines.

A federal judge ruled this week that the government is liable for a nighttime collision in the March 2019 crash that nearly killed snowmobiler Jeff Smith.

The tribute banners, hung on utility poles, display men and women who've in some way served the country — in times of war and peace.

The Sheffield Historical Society unveiled a new headstone for Black Civil War soldier William D. Jones on Wednesday. His family members and about one hundred people from the town gathered to celebrate his military service.

The Sheffield Historical Society will unveil a new headstone for Civil War veteran William Jones. Jones served as a member of the 54th regiment, one of the first Black regiments to serve in the war.

Pharmacist’s Mate 2nd Class Merle Hillman died at Pearl Harbor, but his remains were only identified late last year, using DNA technology. This Saturday, several of his remaining family members will bury him in his hometown of Holyoke, Massachusetts, accompanied by full military honors.

Air Force Staff Sergeant Jake Galliher was killed when the Osprey aircraft he was flying in crashed off the coast of Japan. He was 24 years old and grew up in Pittsfield.

Jacob "Jake" Galliher was among eight service members who died last month when an Osprey aircraft crashed during a training mission off southwestern Japan. The crash led the U.S. military to ground its fleet of Ospreys while the investigation into the accident continues.

More than 140 Westover reservists will support five new flying missions of the giant C-5 cargo planes on an ongoing basis.

As family and friends come together for various holidays this and next month, will it be possible to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, as many people disagree so strongly about what's happening and what should happen next. Maybe, with some agreements in place, says John Sarrouf from Essential Partners in Cambridge, Massachusetts.