CPL US Army
1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany
He died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2003 graduate of Mt Carmel High School in Chicago, IL where he played soccer and also boxed at Whiting Boxing Club. He attended Holy Cross College for awhile and then entered the mechanical engineering and biology programs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. In 2005, he decided to join the military and at one time he was assigned to The Old Guard where he served at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph was a caring and dedicated husband and father to Alison and their two sons. He loved to rebuild cars, build model planes, fish, box, play piano, play guitar and sing. Joseph had a kind heart and loved animals. He volunteered at a humane society and adopted four cats and three dogs while working there – including a drowning dog that he saved.
NOTE: He was the first junior enlisted soldier to receive full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Until January 1, 2009, this was only accorded to officers, Medal of Honor recipients and enlisted members who reach the highest possible enlisted rank of E-9.
Visitation was held on Friday, January 17, 2009, at Kish Funeral Home, Munster, IN. Mass was said on Saturday, January 18, 2009, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Hammond, IN. Interment on January 23, 2009.
1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany
He died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2003 graduate of Mt Carmel High School in Chicago, IL where he played soccer and also boxed at Whiting Boxing Club. He attended Holy Cross College for awhile and then entered the mechanical engineering and biology programs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. In 2005, he decided to join the military and at one time he was assigned to The Old Guard where he served at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph was a caring and dedicated husband and father to Alison and their two sons. He loved to rebuild cars, build model planes, fish, box, play piano, play guitar and sing. Joseph had a kind heart and loved animals. He volunteered at a humane society and adopted four cats and three dogs while working there – including a drowning dog that he saved.
NOTE: He was the first junior enlisted soldier to receive full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Until January 1, 2009, this was only accorded to officers, Medal of Honor recipients and enlisted members who reach the highest possible enlisted rank of E-9.
Visitation was held on Friday, January 17, 2009, at Kish Funeral Home, Munster, IN. Mass was said on Saturday, January 18, 2009, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Hammond, IN. Interment on January 23, 2009.
CPL US Army
1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany
He died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2003 graduate of Mt Carmel High School in Chicago, IL where he played soccer and also boxed at Whiting Boxing Club. He attended Holy Cross College for awhile and then entered the mechanical engineering and biology programs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. In 2005, he decided to join the military and at one time he was assigned to The Old Guard where he served at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph was a caring and dedicated husband and father to Alison and their two sons. He loved to rebuild cars, build model planes, fish, box, play piano, play guitar and sing. Joseph had a kind heart and loved animals. He volunteered at a humane society and adopted four cats and three dogs while working there – including a drowning dog that he saved.
NOTE: He was the first junior enlisted soldier to receive full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Until January 1, 2009, this was only accorded to officers, Medal of Honor recipients and enlisted members who reach the highest possible enlisted rank of E-9.
Visitation was held on Friday, January 17, 2009, at Kish Funeral Home, Munster, IN. Mass was said on Saturday, January 18, 2009, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Hammond, IN. Interment on January 23, 2009.
1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany
He died of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was a 2003 graduate of Mt Carmel High School in Chicago, IL where he played soccer and also boxed at Whiting Boxing Club. He attended Holy Cross College for awhile and then entered the mechanical engineering and biology programs at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. In 2005, he decided to join the military and at one time he was assigned to The Old Guard where he served at funerals in Arlington National Cemetery. Joseph was a caring and dedicated husband and father to Alison and their two sons. He loved to rebuild cars, build model planes, fish, box, play piano, play guitar and sing. Joseph had a kind heart and loved animals. He volunteered at a humane society and adopted four cats and three dogs while working there – including a drowning dog that he saved.
NOTE: He was the first junior enlisted soldier to receive full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. Until January 1, 2009, this was only accorded to officers, Medal of Honor recipients and enlisted members who reach the highest possible enlisted rank of E-9.
Visitation was held on Friday, January 17, 2009, at Kish Funeral Home, Munster, IN. Mass was said on Saturday, January 18, 2009, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Hammond, IN. Interment on January 23, 2009.
