Joseph Lancour
Specialist, United States Army
June 26, 1986 – November 10, 2007
Age – 21
Swartz Creek, MI
Operation Enduring Freedom
Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Combat Team, Vincenza, Italy
Died of wounds sustained when their patrol was attacked by direct fire from enemy forces in the mountains of Aranus, Afghanistan
United States Army Specialist Joseph “Joe” Lancour was born on June 26, 1986, and grew up in Ludington, MI, where he attended Ludington area schools all the way through high school. Joe loved outdoor activities. He would spend a lot of time fishing, and playing basketball and football throughout high school. He was active in sports from first grade, starting with t-ball, then baseball, following with Junior High wrestling, and continuing into his senior year with football. Joe graduated in 2004 from Ludington High School. He was artistic in many ways and loved to cook and draw. He also enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting, muscle cars and antique cars. Joe and his father, Rob, would play in softball leagues together – with Joe as a catcher and Rob as a pitcher. Joe graduated from Ludington High School and soon after joined the military.
Joe enlisted in the Army in February 2006 and attended basic training at Ft. Benning, GA. After basic, he pursued Airborne School and received his wings in July 2006. Joe was then assigned to the 173rd Airborne in Vicenza, Italy, as part of Chosen Company and was extremely proud. In this position, he volunteered to carry the SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) because of the weight of the machine. He served in Italy before being deployed to Afghanistan. He was proud of what he did. While he was home on leave in August 2007, he was upset to learn that his unit had been attacked. His family said he wanted to get back to his unit.
On November 9, 2007, SPC Lancour’s unit was ambushed on their way back to base from a small village. One individual stated how they heard the SAW giving the enemy everything possible. Ultimately, SPC Joseph Lancour was shot multiple times and died on November 10, 2007. For his service, SPC Lancour received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Expert Marksman, and the Combat Infantry Badge.