DOB/DOD: December 7, 1968 (Putnam, CT) – December 15, 2006; 38 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Michele L. Kozey (1969-)
CHILDREN: One son, Ryan (1991-). Two daughters, Danielle (1995-) and Jordan (1997-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Kozey Road; Eastford
ENLISTMENT: 1992
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 25U; Signal Support Systems Specialist
UNIT: Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Brigade; New Haven, Connecticut
FAMILY: Born to Peter A. [USMC and Vietnam veteran] (1940-2018) and Barbara Ortega Phaneuf (1943-). Three brothers, Dennis (1969-), Tony (1974-), and Rob (1976-). Three sisters, Tiffany Phaneuf Sumeersarnauth (1969-), Holly Phaneuf Grube (1970-), and Veronica Mobley (1976-).
DECORATIONS: Awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 devices, Global War on Terrorism Medal (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism Medal (Service), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “2” device, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with “2 device”, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Medal – Afghanistan, Combat Action badge, Driver-W badge, Rifle Marksman Badge, Meritorious Unit Commendation with device, Army Signal Corps Regimental Cross, Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal, and the Connecticut Mobilization Service Ribbon.
CIRCUMSTANCES: Staff Sergeant Phaneuf was killed when the armored vehicle he was in was struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan.
OTHER: From sister Holly Grube, “Joe was extremely intelligent, and in high school, he made a bet with one of his teachers. The loser of a game of Trivial Pursuit had to serve the winner lunch. Guess who won!?”
Putnam High School, Class of 1987
From The Day (New London, CT) on December 19, 2006
STATE SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
Eastford Resident’s Vehicle Was Hit By A Roadside Bomb
HARTFORD (AP) – A Connecticut soldier has been killed in Afghanistan by a roadside explosive, military officials confirmed Monday. Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Phaneuf Jr., 38, of Eastford, died Friday when his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb, officials said. Phaneuf’s wife, Michele, and other family members were notified Saturday. “It is very difficult to lose another great soldier who answered the call to duty,” said Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, the adjutant general and commander of the Connecticut National Guard. Phaneuf was a member of the New Haven-based First Battalion 102nd Infantry and was one of three soldiers in the vehicle when the explosion occurred. He is the seventh Connecticut resident to die this year in fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq and the 36th since fighting began in 2002. Governor M. Jodi Rell on Monday ordered U.S. and state flags lowered to half-staff until Phaneuf’s burial, which has not yet been scheduled. “Joseph Phaneuf was a volunteer citizen-soldier who served his state and country in the truest sense,” Rell said. “His example of service and sacrifice is as inspirational as his death is tragic.” Michelle Phaneuf said her husband had served in the military in the 1990s and reenlisted after the 2001 terrorist attacks. He served in Iraq and volunteered for the Afghanistan-bound unit because he felt strongly about the need to serve overseas again, she said. “He was a soldier, a patriot through and through,” she said. “He felt he was needed to go over there and do what he could do,” she said. Michele Phaneuf said she last spoke with her husband by telephone on Wednesday. They have three children. “We’re going to have Christmas,” she said. “That’s what he would have wanted, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Funeral and burial arrangements are pending, but Michele Phaneuf said her husband told her he wanted to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Phaneuf’s battalion was mobilized in January and left for Afghanistan in April. It is scheduled to return to Connecticut in Spring 2007. Currently, the Connecticut National Guard has 970 members deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
From The Day (New London, CT) December 28, 2006
By Megan Bard | Day Staff Writer
HE BELIEVED IN WHAT HE DID
300 Turn Out In Norwich To Honor State Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
NORWICH — As a bitter gust of wind lifted the corners of the American flag that hugged Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Phaneuf II’s casket, his wife raised her hand and blew him a kiss. It was a simple, loving gesture by Michele Phaneuf before she took hold of her two daughters’ hands, nodded to her son, and walked to a waiting black limousine. “He had a great spirit … he believed in what he did,” said Caren Falzarano, smiling as she remembered her Putnam High School friend. Falzarano was one of more than 300 people who attended a Mass of Christian Burial service Wednesday morning at the Cathedral of St. Patrick on Broadway to honor Phaneuf’s memory. The Connecticut National Guard soldier was killed on December 15 in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, from injuries he suffered when an explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. Phaneuf, 38, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, based in New Haven. He served in the military in the 1990s and reenlisted after the 2001 terrorist attacks. He spent one year in Iraq with the Guand’s 118th Medical Battalion before joining the infantry unit in November 2005 and volunteering for duty in Afghanistan. He was scheduled to come home this spring. The Eastford resident will be buried Friday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. On Wednesday, Phaneuf’s friends described him as a selfless man who cared deeply for his community, his family, and his country. They recalled his sense of humor, his argumentative nature, and his competitive drive. All three characteristics served him well as a father and a volunteer firefighter and during intense Trivial Pursuit matches. “Joey was an athlete. He was driven and competitive,” said Shawn Griffin of Plainville, a high school friend. To Shay Gingras, an Eastford Elementary School student, Phaneuf was a hero. Melissa Duncan of Eastford said Phaneuf volunteered at the school and spoke to students about his military experience and tour in Iraq. The students were later asked to write about a hero. Shay wrote about Phaneuf. Duncan said Shay shared some of her essays during the eulogy Wednesday. Brian Gingras, Shay’s father, who also spoke during the eulogy, said later that “Joe was a dear friend of ours and a true hero and patriot. All of the accolades he gets are well deserved.” Many of those accolades were shared during the homily given by Monsignor Robert L. Brown, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich and principal celebrant of the Mass. On Wednesday evening, the Most Reverend Daniel A. Hart, bishop emeritus of Norwich, said that the service was solemn but that the scripture readings were intended to provide hope to look beyond the present circumstances to the happiness of God in heaven. Hart described Brown’s homily as very personal and one that encouraged all who attended to recall Christ’s resurrection. Hart said the monsignor spoke of Phaneuf’s devotion to his family and yet his need to respond to the needs of the country too. “The life of Joseph Phaneuf had been one that would be an example to all those who hear of it,” Hart said. Outside the church, dozens of people gathered along Broadway for nearly two hours in the biting wind to pay their respects. Members of the National Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts, and others lined Otis Street. The group had been invited to the cathedral by the Phaneuf family in the event members of a Kansas-based church group picketed the service. “It’s about honor and respect. That’s it,” said RJ Quinn, representative of the Patriot Guard Riders. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church did not attend, however, as threatened on the group’s website. Fire departments and police officers also mingled in front of the church. The city’s and Taftville’s fire departments positioned ladder trucks to support a large American flag that was hanging over Broadway. The New London Firefighters Pipes and Drums farmed a circle to the right of the cathedral’s steps. The group played “Going Home” as Phaneuf’s casket was walked up the steps that were lined by members of the state National Guard’s honor guard, primarily members of the 102nd Infantry. Their presence was in honor of Phaneuf’s service in the Eastford Volunteer Fire Department. A quiet chatter was silenced 75 minutes after the service began when the large wooden doors of the cathedral opened. Only the footsteps of the honor guard, again taking their positions along the steps, and the sound of the large American flag whipping in the wind could be heard. From behind the glass doors that shielded the sanctuary from the cold, a singer’s voice could be heard singing the National Anthem. Later, as the singer began singing “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the casket, now draped in white, slowly made its way down the aisle. Just before the door’s threshold, the white fabric was removed, and the American flag was unfolded and gingerly draped over the casket before the casket was carried back down the steps to the waiting vehicle. After blowing her a kiss, Michele Phaneuf accepted condolences from state dignitaries, including Governor M. Jodi Rell, U.S. Representative-elect Joe Courtney, state Comptroller Nancy Wyman, and state Treasurer Denise L. Nappier. Then, the Phaneuf family got back in the long, black limousine and began the 37-mile journey back to Putnam, where a reception was held at the Albert J. Breault VFW Post 1523. Currently, the Connecticut National Guard has 970 soldiers and airmen deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
From the Villager Newspaper. Contributed by Bill Pearsall, municipal historian for the town of Putnam.
By Vito J. Leo | Staff Writer
EASTFORD RESIDENTS MOURN LOSS OF STAFF SGT JOSEPH E. PHANEUF JR.
EASTFORD — Townspeople continue to agonize over the loss of an Eastford resident who was killed in Afghanistan while serving with the Connecticut National Guard. Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Phaneuf Jr. died on
December 15, when the vehicle in which he was riding struck a roadside bomb. He lived in Eastford with his wife Michelle and their three children, Ryan, 18; Danielle J. and Jordan, 9.
The fallen hero was honored during a Mass of Christian Burial held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Norwich on December 27, and his body will rest with other national heroes in Arlington National Cemetery, with burial scheduled for December 29. Staff Sergeant Phaneuf had served in Iraq in February 2004 with the Connecticut
National Guard’s 118th Medical Battalion, and then, after returning home from that deployment, he decided to go back to the Middle East, joining the Afghanistan-bound First Battalion 102nd Infantry Brigade in November 2005. He and two other members of that unit were riding together when the fateful explosion occurred.
His death was felt deeply in this town of fewer than 2,000 residents, even more so, coming as it did a little more than a week prior to Christmas. Many homes in Eastford- the epitome of Smalltown, USA — are flying flags in memory of the town’s local hero, and in some cases, homeowners have attached small flags to mailboxes.
In the center of town, Bowen’s Garage is flying flags attached to antennas of cars owned by the dealership. All the town-owned buildings, including the Town Hall, have signs bordered by black bunting, a traditional symbol of mourning. The town has been wonderful and very supportive of our family. People are doing just everything they can to help Michelle and her family, as well as being helpful to me and my family,” said Holly Grube, sister of Staff Sergeant Phaneuf and also an Eastford resident. “Joe was my older brother, and he was always my protector. I will always miss him,” she said.
From TogetherWeServed.com
My husband, Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Phaneuf II, was killed when the vehicle he was driving hit an IED. He was killed on December 15, 2006, in Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 1-102 Infantry Regiment out of New Haven, Connecticut. He had been in Afghanistan since April of 2006. Prior to deploying to Afghanistan, he was a member of the 118th Medical Battalion and had served a year in Iraq with them. After 9/11 happened, Joe felt a very strong need to do something for our country. He had previously been a member of the National Guard. He decided to reenlist. When he found out that the unit he was with would not be getting deployed, he volunteered to go over with the 118th. Joe’s MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) was in communications. He spent most of his time in Iraq working with computers. He came home feeling very dissatisfied. He did not feel he had done anything to help anyone while in Iraq. During the year he was home, he spent his time with our 3 kids, taking pictures and golfing. All of the things he loved to do. I knew that he still needed to go out and do something else. With much thought and discussion, he volunteered to go to Afghanistan with the 1-102. Again, he would be doing commo work, but it was agreed he could also be a driver and do some traveling. Joe left in January of 2006. We were all so proud of him. Our son Ryan, age 15, and our daughters Danielle, age 11, and Jordan, age 9, understood that he was going back to help. Although they did say this was the last time he could go away. A sentiment shared by all. Joe came home in August for his R&R. It was so good to see him. We spent most of those two weeks just doing quiet family things. I am so happy to have had those two weeks. Joe took many, many pictures of the children and scenery in Afghanistan, and there are many pictures of Iraq as well. He spoke volumes through his photos. I will someday have his pictures made into books. We miss him terribly but are endlessly proud of him. Thank you.
— Michele Phaneuf; Eastford, CT
Joe, I remember our times at Fort Bragg. It was cold one night, and I took my sleeping bag and held it near the red hot heater and, of course, melted a part of it. You looked at me and said, “Keep the matches away from the old man. You even attached a fire extinguisher to my bunk. You were always the jokester, which was great. How many times did we share our cigarettes when either of us was out? I was always the butt of the “Old Man” Jokes, but I didn’t mind at all. As a matter of fact, I liked it, as you know. I did finally make it to Arlington in 2011 for a visit and also visited Bernard Corpuz, who is very close to you. Well, Joe, we did our jobs well. Now, Rest In Peace, my friend.
— First Sergeant Dave J. Carello
Memorialized at Camp Nett, 38 Smith Street, Niantic, Connecticut. The memorial brick with his name is the middle brick in the second row.
Memorialized on the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Monument, Long Wharf Drive, and Sargent Drive, New Haven, Connecticut.
Staff Sergeant Phaneuf is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia; Section 60, Site 8512.
