Josh was a 2013 graduate of Normal Community High School in Bloomington, Illinois who represented Ironmen athletics in both track and football. While in high school Josh made it known his intention to become a Ranger and upon graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. True to the "Iron Sharpens Iron" adage, Josh's coaches and teammates helped him prepare mentally and physically for the grueling Ranger training and selection process. Upon completion of his training in May 2014 he was assigned to /charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He served hs country as a Machine Gunner, Squad Automatic Machine Gunner, Gun Team Leader, and Ranger Team Leader. On April 27, 2017 during a combat operation in the Achin District, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan Josh's platoon conducted a special operations raid known as Isis-K stronghold. Upon infil the platoon received intense enemy fire from all directions. Reacting to this threat Josh lead his team to cover even after receiving a gunshot would to the leg and applying self-aid. Undaunted by his wounds Josh continued to lead his Rangers against the enemy until being fatally wounded. Josh's decisive actions against all odds protected his fellow Rangers in combat. Josh was the epitome of a quiet professional. He was a man of few words who garnered respect through his unwavering dependability, steadfast optimism, and tremendous work ethic. Josh embodied the spirit of a Ranger NCO, who placed mission success above self and continued to "fight onto the Ranger objective" no matter the cost.

VONDA RODGERS, Mother