View Full Version : Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri
gtcrispy
10-29-2007, 19:17
We just found out about this, this morning. Joe was my battle buddy during basic training, we went to Airborne School, SOPC, SFAS, SOPC II together before following our own paths through the Q-Course but eventually arriving at 1st Group. It's ironic how he died considering his swimming ability. He was also so close to coming home as well. RIP buddy.
http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2007/October/071029-03.html
RELEASE NUMBER: 071029-03
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 29, 2007
PRESS RELEASE: Special Forces Soldier dies from non-combat related incident
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Oct. 29, 2007) — An Army Special Forces Soldier died in a non-combat related incident on Oct. 26 while deployed to the Southern Philippines region near Panamao, Republic of the Philippines.
Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri, 27, died in an accidental drowning incident at Siet Lake. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team communications sergeant assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Curreri, a native of Maryland, volunteered for military service and entered the Army in July 2004 as an infantryman. He volunteered for and completed U.S. Army Airborne training, and then volunteered for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to the 1st SFG(A) at Fort Lewis, Wash., in 2006.
Curreri is survived by his wife, Athena, of Los Angeles, Calif.; mother, Karen, and sister, Shannon, of Redondo Beach, Calif.; father, Frank, step-mother, Tricia, and step-sister Angelia of Parkville, Md.
For Curreri's bio, click here.... .http://news.soc.mil/releases/News%20Archive/2007/October/Curreri_bio_USASFC.pdf
My condolences to you gtcrispy, thoughts and prayers out to his family and Brothers.
RIP SSG Curreri.
bandycpa
10-29-2007, 19:36
RIP SSG Curreri. May God bless and comfort your family.
LongWire
10-29-2007, 19:47
RIP Brother............
The Reaper
10-29-2007, 19:53
RIP, hermano.
Thank you for your service.
TR
Ambush Master
10-29-2007, 20:17
Thoughts and Prayers out, for You and Your's.
Rest in Peace Brother, will be looking for you on that Final DZ.
CosaNostraUSMC
10-29-2007, 20:39
RIP SSgt. Sorry for your family and friends' loss.
Rest in Peace Joseph.
Gtcrispy - I can remember attending your Basic Training graduation and hearing about the awards Joe received and how much you admired him. I appreciate the friendship and camaraderie he offered to you and the other new soldiers. It's a tragic loss for us all.
Dad
Goggles Pizano
10-29-2007, 21:32
Rest in peace SSG Curreri.
deanwells
10-30-2007, 11:45
RIP combat diver....have a great journey...and thank you for your service...
DW
smokfire
10-30-2007, 11:48
Rest in Peace SSG.
smokfire
Rest in Peace and my prayers and condolences to your family.
Rest in Peace, SSG Curreri.
Pat
Needle D
10-30-2007, 15:39
Rest in Peace. My prayers go out to his family.
mffjm8509
10-30-2007, 15:57
RIP Brother!
Divemaster
10-31-2007, 00:58
RIP brother.
Special Forces soldier drowns in Philippines
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune
Published: October 30th, 2007 01:00 AM
A Special Forces soldier from Fort Lewis who was captain of his college swim team drowned while deployed to the Philippines, military officials said Monday.
Staff Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri, 27, died in an accident Friday at Siet Lake near Panamao in the southern Philippines, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command said in a news release.
Curreri, who grew up in Maryland but most recently lived in Los Angeles, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis. He was a communications sergeant on a Special Forces A team.
For many years, 1st Group teams have been sent to train Philippine government troops fighting Islamic militant groups in the nation’s southern islands. Two other soldiers from the unit have died there: one in a noncombat incident in June 2004, the other in a terrorist bombing on an outdoor restaurant in October 2002.
Curreri was serving his first deployment, according to the Special Operations Command release.
The command said he grew up in suburban Baltimore, swam and played water polo in high school, then attended the University of Southern California.
He was a four-year letterman on the USC swim team and captain his senior year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and worked for a time as a tutor, swim coach and at a recruiting agency.
He joined the Army in July 2004 and went first to airborne training, then Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to 1st Group last year, according to the Army.
He is survived by his wife, Athena, of Los Angeles; his mother, Karen, and sister, Shannon, of Redondo Beach; his father, Frank, and step-mother, Tricia, and step-sister, Angelia, all of Parkeville, Md.
The memorial service will be Thursday the 1st of November at 1100, at the Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel across the street from the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Compound.
Abu Jack
10-31-2007, 09:01
Rest In Peace
CoLawman
10-31-2007, 20:57
Rest in Peace SSG.
kachingchingpow
11-01-2007, 09:23
Prayers sent and condolences to all involved.
Leozinho
11-01-2007, 10:21
Rest in Peace, Curreri.
We were friends in the Echo course. He will be missed.
deanwells
11-01-2007, 12:58
RIP brother......
The Old Guy
11-01-2007, 13:27
I had the honor to attend the memorial today. What a HUGE loss to all.
RIP
I believe that SSG Curreri's family has designated the Special Operations Warrior Foundation for contributions in Joe's memory. That's a great gesture and should generate some good donations for the foundation.
I received an e-mail from his family and they are very appreciative of the nationwide support they have received. The more I learn about SSG Curreri the more impressed I am with him. Like the other QPs, he was a bright and talented young man with lots of options but chose to serve his country.
RIP SSG Curreri.
Mike
bricklayer
11-03-2007, 15:46
RIP SSG
gtcrispy
11-04-2007, 17:02
Yes the memorial opened my eyes to how my buddy affected those on his team as well. I knew him and interacted with up until he graduated and went off to his ODA. I'm glad to see it so positive and motivational for all.
RIP SSG Curreri, Godspeed.
tom kelly
11-05-2007, 11:37
R I P S/Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri...You will not be forgotten...tom kelly
RIP SSG Curreri You will be missed...
demodiver
08-18-2008, 22:50
Joe was on my team for 3 months prior to going to dive school, then moved to our other dive team after graduating, he was a GMF, one guy who could have gone anywhere in the world and done anything he wanted, yet he made the choice to join us, i'm grateful for the chance to know him personally. I went to LA and saw him in APR, he's resting well, and will never be forgotten. =S= Joe.
-Mac
If I'm not mistaken, Joe was a member of the same swim team back in Baltimore as Michael Phelps and was a phenomenal swimmer in his own right. I've got to think Joe is enjoying the Summer Olympics.
RIP Joe.
greenberetTFS
08-19-2008, 12:01
RIP
Trip_Wire (RIP)
08-19-2008, 12:02
RIP SSG — Combat Diver
Red Flag 1
08-19-2008, 14:30
Rest In Peace SSG Curreri!
Gtcrispy My condolences to you brother.
My thoughts and prayers out to his family and Brothers.
RIP SSG Curreri
Softer landings and bluer skies!!!
D9 (RIP)
08-20-2008, 13:46
Rest in Peace, soldier.