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TRIBUTE TO OUR MILITARY
Joseph M. Vanek
Elmhurst, Illinois
November 12, 2007
2nd Battalion
325th Airborne Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
DOD November 13, 2007
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Joseph M. Vanek, 22, of Elmhurst, Ill., died Nov. 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Joseph M. Vanek
Vanek joined the Army in July 2003. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training in 2003 and the Basic Airborne Course in 2004 at Fort Benning, GA. He completed the Warrior Leaders Course, the basic professional development course for Noncommissioned Officers, at Fort Bragg, NC in 2006. He arrived to the 82nd Airborne Division in March 2004 and was assigned to 2nd Bn, 325th AIR.
Vanek’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.
Vanek is survived by his father, Frank, and his mother, Janice, both of Elmhurst, Illinois.