Joseph Dominic McEnroe

Joseph D. McEnroe was born sixth out of eight children to Sondra A. and Stephen M. McEnroe (Miller) on February 13, 1972, in Peoria, Illinois. Joe peacefully transitioned to be a Soldier of God on August 25, 2024, surrounded by the love of his family.
Joe's passions in life were his family, being of service to others, and being a friend. More than anything else, Joe's favorite thing was to be "Uncle Joe." Joe was compassionate, generous, helpful, and empathetic. He impacted so many individuals and elevated so many lives. Joe was a true believer in mentorship and devoted endless hours to supporting and training Soldiers- always going above and beyond to spot and assess new talent. Joe had a higher power watching over him that connected people together.
During his high school years, Joe let his performance speak in his cross country meets each year, always giving credit to his coaches who said, "His strength is unbelievable in his legs."
Joe started his Army career on January 16, 1991 and retired in June 30, 2016 as a Sergeant First Class after he served his country for more than 25 years. He graduated two times from the Defense Language Institute (DLI), Monterey, CA, where he learned Russian and Modern Standard Arabic. During the whole of his Army career, Joe strived to be proficient in multiple foreign languages, and reached proficiency in a total of 13 languages.
Joe was honored to be a part of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) since 1992. Joe's first journey as a part of the 10th Group was marked by significant political and social upheaval as he was in Moscow, Russia, and he found himself at the center of a historic and turbulent period. Later in 1993, while the United States and Russia were navigating the post-Cold War landscape, Joe was a part of the U.S. Embassy's defense attaché office in Moscow, and during his time there he played a key role in assessing and understanding the rapidly changing political and military landscape in Russia.
Joe grew up reading "GI Joe – An American Hero" comic books and he was inspired by the comics to achieve his ultimate dream of being accepted and qualified for the Army's Special Forces, receiving his Green Beret in 2001. Joe was not just a Soldier; he was a warrior in the truest sense of the word. As a member of the elite Special Forces, the Green Berets, he embraces the motto "De Oppresso Liber" – "To Free the Oppressed." This creed was not just a slogan for him; it was a guiding principle, one he lived by every day of his life. He was proud to serve in key positions within both 1st and 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG (A) and most notably taking part in the Kosovo Campaign, Invasion of Iraq and Operation "Ugly Baby," and Afghanistan. From the deserts of Iraq to the rugged mountains of Afghanistan and the complex terrain of Kosovo, Joe faced some of the most dangerous and challenging situations imaginable. For his actions, he was awarded the Bronze Star, a testament to his bravery, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his mission and his fellow teammates.
Joe was more than a warrior; he was a teacher, a mentor, and a leader. As a Drill Sergeant, he was responsible for shaping the next generation of soldiers, instilling in them the values of honor, courage, and commitment. He was tough but fair, demanding yet compassionate. He knew the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders-to mold young recruits into disciplined, capable soldiers who could face the rigors of battle and uphold the legacy of those who came before them. And he took that role seriously. The soldiers he trained went on to serve their country with the same sense of pride and purpose that he embodied.
Forever missing him will be his loving wife, Monica McEnroe (Pistol) and their son, Dominic O. McEnroe; daughters, Madalyn C. McEnroe (Neiko Roberts), Sophia A. McEnroe-Best and husband, Jakob Best, Josephine M. McEnroe and husband, Carter Norris, and Anastasia L. McEnroe; grandson John P. Stewart; mother Sondra A. McEnroe; mother-in-law, Georgeta Pistol; father-in-law; Ionel Pistol; sister, Maria (Todd) Prentiss and family; brother Martin (Michelle) McEnroe and family; Christophor (Tara) McEnroe and family; sister, Sue Wiessing and family; brother, Anthony McEnroe and family; brother, Andrew (Ann) McEnroe and family; and sister, Gina Crank and family. Joe was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Veronica E. McEnroe and his father, Stephen M. McEnroe.
Joe was a hero not just because of the honors he received, but because of the lives he touched and the example he set. He was a loyal man, and his bravery and sacrifice helped to keep our country strong and safe. Joe's legacy will live on through everyone he impacted. We celebrate his legacy together, and may he rest in peace!