Fallen Soldier: Joel L. Beroldie

Army Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie, 20, of Independence, Missouri, was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 4-64 Armor Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died on July 18th, 2003, when an explosive device detonated beneath the vehicle he was driving, throwing him from it in Fallujah, Iraq.
With hopes of becoming a marine biologist, he joined the Army shortly after graduating from Truman High School in 2001, to help pay for college. His first role in the Army was as a 19K Tanker, arriving at Fort Know in April of 2001. After that, he was assigned to Fort Stewart and deployed to Iraq with his unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
His awards include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Spc. Bertoldie sent an e-mail to his family from Iraq, talking about how much he looked forward to coming home. “He missed his family,” said his mother, Debi. Hours after sending that note, Bertoldie died. Those who knew him described him as happy go-lucky and recalled how he loved to spend time with his friends and family and listening to music. He was survived by his son, Jesse.