Remembering "SSG Jose Dueñez Jr. Way" on Veteran’s Day in Honor of Joliet Hero

JOLIET, Ill. – Honoring Staff Sergeant (SSG) Jose Dueñez Jr., who died while serving the U.S. Army,  in April, State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, presented a House Resolution earlier this year during a street dedication ceremony renaming Albert Avenue in Joliet "SSG Jose Dueñez Jr. Way.”

“Veteran’s Day is an important way to keep the memories alive of those who died while serving our country,” said Rep. Manley. “It was a tremendous honor to be able to read aloud to family, neighbors and members of the community, highlights of Staff Sergeant Dueñez's remarkable life and military career, so that we remember him, and all our dedicated veterans, all year long.”

The staff sergeant’s family, including his wife Karen Diaz Dueñez and their one-year-old son Jose Dueñez III, his parents Jose Sr. and Leticia Quintero Dueñez, and his five sisters, were all present at the street naming ceremony.

Manley presented House Resolution 0289 on behalf of Rep. Larry Walsh Jr., D-Elwood, Rep. Dagmara Avelar, D-Romeoville, Senator Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, and Senator Meg Loughran Cappel, D-Shorewood. The resolution officially recognizes SSG Dueñez's life, service, and sacrifice. The Illinois Senate passed Senate Resolution 0234 to honor SSG Dueñez.

"Sgt. Dueñez was often recognized by his peers and superior officers as a trustworthy and dedicated soldier during his seven-year military career; he was promoted five times over the course of his service, ultimately reaching the rank of staff sergeant in November of 2020; he served in three overseas deployments, to Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025,” the resolution read.

SSG Dueñez, who would have turned 26 on April 8, enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in 2017. He was one of four U.S. Army soldiers killed when their armored vehicle submerged in a marsh during a training mission in Lithuania.

The resolution further details his accolades, stating, "Sgt. Dueñez's awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal."

The resolution acknowledges their profound loss and extends our deepest sympathies, concluding, "Be it resolved, by the House of Representatives of the One Hundred Fourth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, that we mourn the passing of Sgt. Jose Dueñez Jr. and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him."

There are more than half a million veterans in Illinois, according to U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Illinois has the tenth largest veteran population in the United States.

In Will County, the Veterans Assistance Commission offers programs for financial assistance, employment assistance, combat veteran counseling, homeless prevention and Department of Veteran Affair Compensation / Pension. The VACWC is located at 2400 Glenwood Ave., Suite 110, Joliet, and can be reached by phone at 815-740-8389. 

The Veterans Crisis Line provides confidential crisis support for veterans and their loved ones by dialing 988, then press 1.

Pictured: Representative Manley reads from House Resolution 0289 during a street renaming ceremony honoring SSG Jose Dueñez Jr. Way, Joliet, earlier this year.