Guests to the primary submit workplace in Plainfield, Illinois, might quickly see it renamed for a fallen soldier, killed abroad within the line of responsibility. New laws sponsored by Illinois Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois) is into consideration to designate the power at 14855 S. Van Dyke Street in Plainfield because the “Employees Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Put up Workplace Constructing.”
“It is a bittersweet, very proud honor,” mentioned Dueñez’s mom, Letitia, in an interview with Army.com. “We’re so very happy with our son and blissful that that is going to occur.”
In a press release posted to her official authorities web site, Congresswoman Underwood introduced that her laws has handed the Committee on Oversight and Authorities Reform with unanimous bipartisan assist. It’s now awaiting consideration by the complete Home of Representatives.
“Employees Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. represents the very best of our group. He was a unprecedented hero who served his nation with energy and resilience,” Rep. Underwood mentioned in her assertion obtained by Army.com concerning the fallen soldier who died in 2025. “I’m honored to steer this laws to completely commemorate his sacrifice and repair. The Plainfield Put up Workplace will bear his identify as a reminder of his contributions not solely to his nation, however to his group and household as a father, husband, brother, and son.”
Via her tears, Dueñez’s mom says the household lived in Plainfield for a few years, and her son completed highschool there earlier than enlisting within the Army after commencement, serving seven years of energetic responsibility till he was tragically killed in March 2025 throughout an Army coaching train in Lithuania.
“Earlier than my son joined the Army, we’d hear about situations of issues taking place, troopers being killed,” she mentioned. “However when it touches residence, then you definitely really know the way it feels when a tragedy occurs.”
Born on April 8, 1999, Dueñez was largely raised in Joliet, Illinois, alongside along with his 5 sisters. As a soldier, he was promoted 5 occasions, changing into a employees sergeant in November 2020. Dueñez served in three abroad deployments, together with Poland in 2019, Germany in 2020, and Lithuania in 2025.
He was acknowledged with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificates of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals and a Nationwide Protection Service Medal.
However his longest-lasting achievement, posthumously, would be the renaming of the Plainfield Put up Workplace.
“I really feel that when folks go to that submit workplace, they are going to be going to see my son,” his mom, Letitia, advised Army.com. “They’re going to perceive the sacrifice he made and the sacrifice of anybody who has served.”
Along with his dad and mom, Jose Sr. and Letitia Dueñez, Employees Sergeant Dueñez is survived by his spouse, Karen, whom he met and married throughout his years as an Army soldier. Collectively, they welcomed their son Jose Dueñez III. The late employees sergeant can also be survived by his 5 sisters.
“It hits completely different when it hits residence. Hopefully, with my son’s identify on the submit workplace, folks will know his identify and the legacy he leaves behind,” mentioned his mom, Letitia.
An excerpt from the April 2025 obituary of Employees Sergeant Dueñez reads: “The circumstances of Jose’s passing are extremely difficult for his household. Nonetheless, there may be some measure of peace that may be taken within the information that Jose was not alone in his ultimate moments. He was surrounded by his brothers-in-arms.”
