Sgt. Joel "JJ" Sanchez passed away at Fort Bliss, Texas on July 21, 2023. He was 24 years old.

Joel was born in Bakersfield, Calif. on January 12, 1999 to Joel and Elizabeth Sanchez, one of twelve brothers and sisters. He grew up in East Bakersfield where he attended Horace Mann Elementary and Walter Stiern Middle School. He started his freshman year at South High School but shortly after moved to Vallejo, Calif. where he met his wife and high school sweetheart Khamryn.

In 2017, Joel graduated from Vallejo High School and enlisted in the U.S Army. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. and was later stationed at Fort Bliss. He was deployed to Korea for nine months before returning to Fort Bliss. 

Joel was driven, with a work ethic like no other. He was promoted to sergeant (E-5) on Aug. 8, 2020. During his six years in the Army he received a number of awards and decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Humanitarian Service Ribbon. 

Joel was also a proud protector and provider. His greatest joy and proudest accomplishment in this life was his daughter Nayeli. He lived and breathed to make his little girl happy. He wanted absolutely nothing but the best for her and made sure she had it. He left a mark on this world and will be deeply missed.

Joel exuded positivity and happiness. He was always there to lend a helping hand. He would do anything just to see the people he loved happy, and he showed nothing but love to anyone who crossed his path.

Joel is preceded in death by his oldest sister Elizabeth Nicole. He leaves to cherish his memories his loving parents Joel and Elizabeth Sanchez, his stepmother Lupita, and his siblings Leann, China, Giovanni, Lysette, Cinthya, Julie, Alyssa, Fabian, Adrian, and Isabella, and his loving wife Khamryn and precious daughter Nayeli. He is also survived by his nephews Dante Jr. And Mateo, along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends.

https://openvallejo.org/2023/08/12/joel-jj-sanchez-obituary/

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The Patroit Guard Riders

Bay Area, California

Active Duty Fallen

Sgt. Joel Sanchez, U.S. Army

Mission: Wednesday August 9, 2023

Vallejo, CA

PGR and other military support groups have been invited to participate in the dignified transfer of Active Duty Fallen Sgt. Joel Sanchez, U.S. Army. Mr. Sanchez passed away at the young age of 24. He was a member of 1st Cavalry Regiment, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team.

Mission outline:

Staging time: 12:30pm

Staging location: Wiggins Knipp Funeral Home Inc, 524 Capitol St, Vallejo, CA 94590

KSU time: 1:00pm

KSU location: All Souls Cemetery and Funeral Center, 550 Glen Cove Rd, Vallejo, CA 94591

RC: TBD

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Army identifies soldier killed during Fort Bliss vehicle accident.

Sgt. Joel Sanchez, 24, was killed July 21, 2023.

A soldier killed in a vehicle accident at Fort Bliss, Texas last Friday was identified by the Army on Monday.

Sgt. Joel A. Sanchez, 24, from Vallejo, California was a cavalry scout assigned to the 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, according to a statement from the 1st Armored Division.

The crash happened on the morning of July 21, during a troop movement in the Fort Bliss training area. Five other soldiers were injured in the incident, all of whom have been treated and released. The accident remains under investigation.

The commander of the 1st Armored Division, Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, said in a statement announcing the accident that "our thoughts and prayers are with the Soldier's family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time."

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Soldier killed in crash at Fort Bliss was cavalry scout from California, Army says.

The soldier killed last week in a vehicle accident at Fort Bliss was a 24-year-old cavalry scout originally from Northern California, officials at the west Texas Army base said Monday.

The crash happened Friday morning at the Army installation in El Paso, during a "troop movement," the 1st Armored Division said. Five other soldiers were injured.

The division identified the soldier as Sgt. Joel Sanchez of Vallejo, Calif. The division said he enlisted in the Army in 2016 and arrived at Fort Bliss four years ago. Vallejo is located about 25 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco.

Sanchez died in a non-combat related vehicle accident near the Fort Bliss training area," according to the 1st Armored Division, which is based at Fort Bliss. All injured soldiers were treated and are now released.

Army officials said the crash happened at about 9:30 a.m. and involved a tactical vehicle. No other details about the accident have been revealed. The crash is under investigation.

Sanchez was a cavalry scout assigned to the 1st Armored Division, a unit that's nicknamed "Old Ironsides" and is part of the Army's III Armored Corps. A cavalry scout performs various military tasks in the field, such as gathering information about enemy positions and activities.

STARS AND STRIPES • July 25, 2023