Specialist Joseph Lancour joined the Army in February 2006. He attended basic training at Fort Benning, GA. After graduation, he reMEd at Fort Benning where he successfully completed airborne school, then was assigned to the 173rd Airborne in Italy. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 where he was killed in an ambush.

Joe had many great attributes, including loyalty, kindness, compassion, and strength-of-character. He cared for others above himself and was able to find humor in strenuous moments. Joe was an excellent cook and often enjoyed treating his unit to a delicious meal.

Joe was just a boy when he entered the military, but he became a man. He left behind a family that he loved dearly, sacrificing his life for American freedom. He did what he did for his brothers who stood beside him, for his family at home, and for all Americans. A selfless hero, Joe would have simply shrugged his shoulders and said, “It was the right thing to do.”