Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, 23, of Ludlow, Mass., died May 12 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a 2004 graduate of Ludlow Senior High School. Prior to enlisting in the Marines, Desforges was a member of the Westover Young Marines program, based in East Longmeadow. He is the third soldier with local ties killed in Afghanistan and the 22 overall killed in combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. He was also friends with Marine Lance Cpl. Philip A. Johnson, 19, of Enfield, Conn., who was killed Sept. 3, 2006 in a roadside attack west of Baghdad, Iraq. Both served together in the Westover Young Marines program. Josh was educated at the Children's Community Center, Veterans Park Elemen-tary School, Paul R. Baird Middle School and was a 2004 graduate of Ludlow High School. He was a former employee of CA Smith Lumber and Kiel Landscaping. Josh joined the Westover Young Marine Program at the age of thirteen, and upon his graduation from Ludlow High School and the Westover Young Marines, he began his life long dream to become a United States Marine, attending boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Josh attended the School of Infantry and was a member of the Close Quarters Battle Team. Josh was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 6th Marines out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his time in the Marine Corps, Josh was a Pistol Sharpshooter and a Second Award Rifle Expert. He received the Combat Action Ribbon with one Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. Josh was an outstanding Marine, ultimately earning the prestigious Purple Heart Medal for sacrificing his life while serving his country. He treasured the joy of being outdoors, enjoying off roading, surfing, kite boarding, rock climbing, hiking and fishing. When home on leave, Josh enjoyed spending time with his family and above all playing guitar with a fine cigar with his Dad and Uncle Roger. He was a member of the Chicopee Sportsman Club and the Carolina Full Size Jeep Club. Josh will be deeply missed by many people. He leaves his parents David and Arlene Desforges, his loving, adoring sister Jenelle (peanut) Desforges, family pet Nani, all of Ludlow. He was a cherished grandson of Edward and Anne Martin, of Ludlow, David Desforges and wife Sandy of Westfield and Sylvia Desforges, also of Ludlow. He was a treasured nephew to Thomas and Annie Martin, of Chicopee, and Roger and Heidi Jo Martin of Brimfield. He leaves several cousins, extended family members and dear friends including his best friends Cody Binette, Sergeant Andrew Rouser and their families, and the rest of his brothers of 1/6.
Sgt. Joshua D. Desforges, 23, of Ludlow, Mass., died May 12 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a 2004 graduate of Ludlow Senior High School. Prior to enlisting in the Marines, Desforges was a member of the Westover Young Marines program, based in East Longmeadow. He is the third soldier with local ties killed in Afghanistan and the 22 overall killed in combat in either Iraq or Afghanistan since 2003. He was also friends with Marine Lance Cpl. Philip A. Johnson, 19, of Enfield, Conn., who was killed Sept. 3, 2006 in a roadside attack west of Baghdad, Iraq. Both served together in the Westover Young Marines program. Josh was educated at the Children's Community Center, Veterans Park Elemen-tary School, Paul R. Baird Middle School and was a 2004 graduate of Ludlow High School. He was a former employee of CA Smith Lumber and Kiel Landscaping. Josh joined the Westover Young Marine Program at the age of thirteen, and upon his graduation from Ludlow High School and the Westover Young Marines, he began his life long dream to become a United States Marine, attending boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Josh attended the School of Infantry and was a member of the Close Quarters Battle Team. Josh was on his second deployment to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion 6th Marines out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. During his time in the Marine Corps, Josh was a Pistol Sharpshooter and a Second Award Rifle Expert. He received the Combat Action Ribbon with one Gold Star, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. Josh was an outstanding Marine, ultimately earning the prestigious Purple Heart Medal for sacrificing his life while serving his country. He treasured the joy of being outdoors, enjoying off roading, surfing, kite boarding, rock climbing, hiking and fishing. When home on leave, Josh enjoyed spending time with his family and above all playing guitar with a fine cigar with his Dad and Uncle Roger. He was a member of the Chicopee Sportsman Club and the Carolina Full Size Jeep Club. Josh will be deeply missed by many people. He leaves his parents David and Arlene Desforges, his loving, adoring sister Jenelle (peanut) Desforges, family pet Nani, all of Ludlow. He was a cherished grandson of Edward and Anne Martin, of Ludlow, David Desforges and wife Sandy of Westfield and Sylvia Desforges, also of Ludlow. He was a treasured nephew to Thomas and Annie Martin, of Chicopee, and Roger and Heidi Jo Martin of Brimfield. He leaves several cousins, extended family members and dear friends including his best friends Cody Binette, Sergeant Andrew Rouser and their families, and the rest of his brothers of 1/6.
