Staff Sergeant. Joseph Garyantes joined the Army in 1990 after graduating from high school. He was stationed in Hohenfels, Germany, Ft. Lewis, Washington, and Vilseck, Germany. He deployed to Iraq in February of 2004 with his unit, B Company, 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. While on combat patrol, he was killed by sniper fire in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

Joe lived live to the fullest. He had so much joy and always found ways to cheer everyone up, give a helping hand, advice, or just have coffee with his brothers-in-arms. He loved to play sports, especially baseball, basketball and golf. He was a wonderful husband, a loving and dedicated father to our boys, and a big family man with lots of nieces and nephews who looked up to him.

Joe loved the Army and his country and was proud to be a Soldier! He was a godly man and his greatest love was his family.