Latest news with #Duenez
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
'He set an example every day': Body of fallen soldier returns home to Joliet
JOLIET, Ill. - The return of a fallen U.S. soldier who hails from Joliet made for an emotional day on Tuesday, as his family gathered at Lewis University Airport to welcome him home. Army Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr. was one of four service members who died in Lithuania following a training mission last month. Community members—overseas and here at home—are now paying tribute to the young soldiers. What we know Duenez was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart in Georgia. The Joliet native deployed to Poland in 2021 and Germany in 2022. Most recently, he was serving in Lithuania as a member of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. Duenez and three other U.S. soldiers went missing on March 25 while conducting a recovery mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. At the time, they were operating an M88A2 Hercules. Days later, their bodies were discovered inside their sunken armored vehicle, which was located in a peat bog near Pabradė, Lithuania. "Sgt. Jose Duenez will always hold a special place in our hearts. As both a leader and a Soldier, he set an example every day—always the first to arrive and the last to leave, greeting every challenge with a smile and a readiness to support anyone who required assistance," said Capt. Madyson K. Wellens, Diesel Forward Support Troop commander, 5th Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt. "He was the definition of a silent professional." Along with Duenez, the deceased soldiers have been identified as Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California; Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam; and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Michigan. "This loss is simply devastating," said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie of the 3rd Infantry Division in a press release. "These men were honored Soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during incredibly difficult time." In their honor, thousands of people recently lined the streets of Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius, as their bodies were transported to the airport to be flown back to the United States. Here at home, Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act to fly flags at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Duenez until sunset on Thursday, April 17. Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy is encouraging all residents to take part, too. "Joliet is a small, big town, and when one family grieves, we all grieve," D'Arcy said. "He was a son, he was a brother, he was a husband, he was a father, and he was a soldier." Around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Duenez's body arrived at Lewis University Airport in Romeoville, where his family was waiting on the airfield. His American flag-draped casket was surrounded by loved ones before it was transferred to a hearse. Led by local police officers, a procession then carried his body Tezak's Funeral Home to Celebrate Life in Joliet. Community members holding American flags stood across from the airfield to show their support. "Heartache, a lot of heartache," said Dolores Garcia, community member. "It's our soldier, he's from our country." "We all worry about these young kids," said Silvia Gaona-Padilla, another community member who shares that her son is the same age as Duenez. "Most of them, they all know each other because they play against each other or go to the same high school or grammar school, so they all get to know each other somehow along the way." Duenez would have turned 26 years old on April 8. He served in the U.S. Army for more than seven years and was most recently an M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer. He is one of six siblings and also leaves behind his parents, his wife and their young son. What's next Duenez's visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Tezak's Funeral Home, located at 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Word of Life Church, located at 1500 Cedarwood Drive in Crest Hill. There will be brief visitation preceding the service, beginning at 10 a.m. The Source FOX 32's Kasey Chronis reported on this story.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
3 Fort Stewart soldiers who died during Lithuania training exercise identified
Three of the four soldiers from Fort Stewart, Georgia who died during a training exercise while overseas last week have been identified. U.S. Army officials say Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Illinois, Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, of Glendale, California and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam were among the soldiers killed. The soldiers went missing on March 25 in their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle while conducting a mission to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle in the town of Pabradė, Lithuania. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A search discovered the vehicle submerged in a swamp on March 26, and several agencies assisted in the days-long effort to remove it. Officials confirmed on Monday that Duenez, Franco and Taitano's bodies had been recovered. The fourth and final soldier's body was recovered on Tuesday. Officials say they are still notifying that soldier's family. 'This loss is simply devastating,' said Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, the 3rd Infantry Division commanding general. 'These men were honored Soldiers of the Marne Division. We are wrapping our arms around the families and loved ones of our Soldiers during incredibly difficult time.' All three soldiers were M1 Abrams tank system maintainers. RELATED STORIES: Body of last Ft. Stewart soldier who vanished during training exercise in Lithuania recovered Bodies of 3 missing Ft. Stewart soldiers found; disappeared during training exercise in Lithuania 4 soldiers from Fort Stewart still missing in Lithuania, despite NATO initial report Duenez spent more than seven years in the Army. He was previously deployed to Poland and Germany. 'We remember Jose not just for what he has done for the unit, but for the way he made us feel inspired to give our best each day. His legacy is a personal reminder of the leader we all aspire to be. He will forever be a part of the Diesel Family,' said Capt. Madyson K. Wellens. Franco completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia before arriving at Fort Stewart in Feb. 2019. He had previously deployed to Korea and Germany. 'Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the impact he made, but we will honor his memory every day, remembering how his remarkable spirit touched our lives in countless ways. He will forever be a part of the Diesel Family,' said Wellens. Tatitano spent almost two years in the Army. He also completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia before arriving at Fort Stewart in Oct. 2023. 'Pfc. Dante Taitano will always be remembered as the spark of the team. He wore a smile on his face no matter the environment or task and constantly brought the team together with his charisma and laughter,' said Cpt. Matthew Lund. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
CBS News
01-04-2025
- CBS News
Joliet, Illinois soldier Jose Duenez Jr. among 4 killed in training exercise in Lithuania
The friend of one of the four American soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania said he is struggling to process the loss. Jose Duenez Jr., a native of Joliet, Illinois, and three other U.S. Army soldiers were found dead after their armored vehicle sank in a swamp while conducting a mission last Tuesday to repair and tow an immobilized tactical vehicle. Duenez's friend, Ben Muller, said he had just sent Duenez a Snaptchat last week, and when he didn't hear back, he started to put the pieces together. The two met a decade ago at a paintball business in Lockport and stayed close. Muller said Duenez was a tank mechanic in the Army – a job he loved. Duenez and three other soldiers were found dead after a massive six-day search by U.S., Polish and Lithuanian armed forces. Their 63-ton armored recovery vehicle was out for a tactical training exercise when it went under 15 feet of water, claylike mud, and silt. Excavators, pumps, and several hundred tons of gravel and earth were moved to recover and pull up the tank. Duenez leaves behind a wife and a young son. "I love that guy. … He had stuff about him that I had never seen in anyone else. I mean, he was compassionate, he was caring. The man would give you the shirt off his back if you didn't have it," Muller said. Duenez's family said they need more time to process his death before they share his story. Muller said they are waiting to hear when his remains will be sent back to the United States.
