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Joe Degliuomini '91 Serving His Country on the Front Lines
Date Posted:
2/5/2003
Author:
John C. Giordano '91
Contact:
John C. Giordano '91
Contact E-mail:
johngiordano@virginia.edu
Very recently, my good friend and classmate from Xavier ('91) and West Point ('95) deployed overseas to an undisclosed location in anticipation of upcoming military action in Iraq. Joe Deglioumini is a Detachment Commander in the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), commonly referred to as Task Force 160. He pilots the Army's MH-60 helicopter and just recently returned from a five month deployment to Afghanistan.
Joe exemplifies the selfless service that was engendered in us as students at Xavier. He is a highly intelligent and skilled individual who could parlay his talents into a well-paid position in a much less dangerous line of work, yet he feels the need to be part of something more meaningful.
Just after he completed his training to become a Special Forces aviator, I had the opportunity to share a conversation with him and his parents as he discussed his future. Having fulfilled his commitment to serve on active duty for seven years after graduating from the Academy, Joe was faced with the opportunity to resign his commission and enter the private sector. Having debated the issue in his own mind and amongst his confidants, he reached what I believed was a foregone conclusion and chose to stay on active duty and continue his career in Special Operations Aviation.
While most of us make sacrifices every day, I think few are as significant as the ones he endures while guarding the interests of his nation overseas. It is especially poignant that he was actively engaged in operations directed against the Taliban regime and Al Queda operatives in Afghanistan, considering that two of our classmates were among those killed in the World Trade Center.
I would ask that all members of the Xavier community keep Joe, his family and his soldiers in their prayers as tensions continue to rise in the region surrounding Iraq. Almost assuredly, Joe and his men will be in harm's way, and it is my sincere desire to see him return with all of his troops after a successful mission. The photograph you can access below depicts Joe and his detachment in the vicinity of Khandahar air base on the 4th of July, 2002. Joe is seated on top of the helicopter.
Those wishing to contact Joe and wish him well may reach him at:
joeydegs@aol.com
Picture of Joe Degliuomini '91 in Afghanistan-He is seated on top of the helicopter
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