1st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz
Born: July 9, 1984 in Rochester, New York
Died: June 9, 2010 in Afghanistan
1st Lt. Joel C. Gentz of Grass Lake, Michigan attended Chelsea High School where he ran cross country and was percussionist in the band. He also participated in swimming, tennis and was a member of the National Honor Society. In 2007 he graduated from Purdue University with degrees in aerospace and aeronautical engineering. While there, he particiated in the Air Force ROTC. He was chosen to be part of Iron Key, a senior honorary organization of students who work anonymously each year on a service project that will benefit Purdue. Joel was the first Purdue ROTC graduate to become a Combat Rescue Officer. He was dedicated to the Air Force and accepted all challenges with eagerness. Joel approached everything his did with a high level of commitment. It was because of his dedication, that he was a true leader. Surrounded by many friends, Joel stood out as a decent person with good character. Joel received his black belt in Tae-kwon-do. In addition to his already active lifestyle he participated in marathons and triathlons, and enjoyed hiking with his family and friends. He met his wife, Kathryn while attending college and the couple were married June 7, 2008. Prior to relocating to Nellis Air Force base, they lived in Albuquerque. Joel received a pilot slot, but turned it down because of his desire to become a Combat Rescue Officer to save his fellow service men. He began the pararescue pipeline training, a grueling 2 year training including HALO, underwater training, medical training, land navigation, and SERE. He was Awarded the Warrior Spirit award all four years as voted by his fellow Air Force ROTC. He was a member of Arnold Air Society and wing commander of his detachment. Joel was a member of the Iron Key and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was currently serving his first deployment in Afghanistan with more than 50 hours of combat time. He died at age 25 near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan, in a helicopter crash. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Michael Flores of Texas, Staff Sgt. David Smith of Ala., and Senior Airman Benjamin White.
Air Force
58th Rescue Squadron
Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Burial is at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea, Michigan
The 1st Lt Joel Christopher Gentz by Freedom Remembered, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
