SSG Joseph E. Suponcic

16 December 1999, Kosovo

Special Forces

A native of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Staff Sergeant Joseph E. Suponcic died on 16 December 1999 while supporting Operation JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo.

Suponcic enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman in 1991. After his initial training, he completed assignments with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg in 1988, earning the military occupational specialty 18E, Special Forces Communications Sergeant. Following training, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado.

SSG Suponcic was serving as a liaison interpreter with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group when his vehicle struck a landmine.