Spc. Joseph T. Prentler, of Fenwick, Mich., was killed Monday in Mama Kariz, Kandahar province, following an attack by insurgents using an improvised explosive device. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army)
BAMBERG, Germany — A Vilseck-based soldier was killed in Afghanistan on Monday, according to a Defense Department press release.
Spc. Joseph T. Prentler, of Fenwick, Mich., was killed in Mama Kariz, Kandahar province, following an attack by insurgents using an improvised explosive device. He was 20.
He was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
A memorial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Rose Barracks Cavalry Chapel in Vilseck, according to military officials.
According to Prentler’s family, he had wanted to serve in the Army since he was 8 because his grandfather had also served.
“Going from when you’re 8 and making that decision and sticking with it, that’s really honorable,””Prentler’s cousin, Sonya Jakeway, told The Daily News of Greenville, Mich. ““It was always an interest for him.””
Prentler’s mother, Tammy, told The Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press that she was concerned Monday about her son after hearing that his friend had been injured in a blast. Then the military officials came to her house.
“You want to run....you want to shut the door and pretend it hasn’t happened,”” she was quoted as saying.
Tammy remembered her son for the kindness he showed toward others and how he always placed others before himself.
“He’s just an all-around sweet person, just concerned about everybody and anybody. He’s just a good kid, friendly. He tried to make everybody laugh. Everybody loved him.”
