Chief Petty Officer Lee Ashton Begy II Is This Week’s Hometown Hero!

It’s time once again for our Hometown Hero, brought to you by Batavia Downs Gaming with help from our friends at WNY Heroes who help us with our nominations every week.  This Week’s Hometown Hero is originally from West Palm Beach, FL but now resides in Rochester, NY.  From our United States Navy, it’s Chief Petty Officer Lee Ashton Begy II!

His nomination says:

Chief Petty Officer Begy was born in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 2, 1970, and is now a native of Rochester, New York. In January 1988 he enlisted in the Navy under the Delayed Entry Program. On September 7, 1988, he was sent to Recruit Training in San Diego, CA. Upon successful completion of boot camp, he attended and graduated Interior Communications Electrician “A” school, solidifying his in-rate occupation, Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Apprentice (ICFA). He then continued on to complete Dead Reckoning Analyzer/Tracer “C” school also in San Diego, CA.

In the fall of 1989, ICFA Begy reported aboard the USS Ainsworth (FF-1090), Norfolk, VA. In July 1991, he advanced to IC3 Begy and was then transferred to the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), also based in Norfolk, VA. Deployments included a Mediterranean cruise, North Atlantic cruise, Legal Enforcement Operations with the Coast Guard in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Panama Canal. On July 6, 1992 after fulfilling his commitment to the Navy, IC3 Begy was honorably discharged from active duty.

Within seven months of discharge from active duty, Petty Officer Begy enlisted in the Navy Reserves at NOSC Rochester, NY and was assigned to the USS Donald B. Berry (FF-1085). Working full time and enrolled in the Electrical Engineering program at Monroe Community College as a night student, Petty Officer Begy decided to put 100% concentration towards earning his Associates Degree. After a 2½ year break of service, he re-affiliated with NOSC Rochester and cross-rated to Electronics Technician Third Class Petty Officer. In September 1999 he transferred to Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 214 (MIUWU 214), at NOSC Buffalo, NY, where he advanced to ET2 and earned his Expeditionary Warfare Specialist Qualification. His duties have included Command Fitness Leader, LPO for the OE01 Division, 3M Work Center Supervisor, EXW Coordinator, and the unit and NOSC Buffalo’s New York State Naval Militia representative.

Directly following the attacks on September 11^th, Petty Officer Begy voluntarily mobilized as a member of the New York State Naval Militia and was immediately sent to New York City working with federal, state and local authorities throughout Manhattan. For his efforts, he was awarded the Defense of Liberty Medal by former New York State Governor George Pataki. In February 2003, MIUWU 214 was deployed to Sigonella, Sicily ISO OEF/IOF.  In July 2007, Petty Officer Begy was again deployed to Camp Patriot, Kuwait ISO OEF/OIF as a member of MIUWU 202.  During which time he advanced to ET1 and became the first E-6 to qualify and hold the position of Maritime Operations Center (MOC) Watch Officer.  In August 2011, MSRON 8 was deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, providing AT/FP for the US HVA’s that visited the Port of Jebel Ali.

On September 16, 2012, Petty Officer Begy was promoted to Chief Petty Officer during a ceremony onboard the USS Little Rock (CLG-4)  at the Buffalo Naval Park. During his twenty four years of service, Chief Begy’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal(6 awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct, Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal(4 awards), National Defense Service Medal(2 awards), Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary & Service), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Long and Faithful Service Medal for 15 years of Naval Militia Service.  As a First Class, Chief Begy was also named the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 8 Sailor of the Year for 2008, as well as the Maritime Expeditionary Security Detachment 822 Sailor of the Year for 2009.

Chief Begy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Computer Engineering Technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and is currently employed as a Circuit Design Engineer with Windstream Communications in Fairport, NY.  He lives in Webster, NY with his wife Yanid, and their two sons; Ashton age 11, and James age 8.

So this week, we are proud to also call him our Hometown Hero of the week! .

If you would like to nominate your own Hometown Hero, click the button below. We like to honor both active duty and veteran heroes from right here in Western New York.

Thanks once again to Chief Petty Officer Lee Ashton Begy II , our Hometown Hero of the week!