Joseph L. Warner

Major Joseph L. Warner passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014, after a brief illness. He was born August 7, 1975 to Richard and Joyce Warner. He was raised and attended schools in Rigby, graduating from Rigby High School in 1993. He then started his Army career by enlisting as an interrogator in Military Intelligence. During this time, he attended the Defense Language Institute to study Japanese. In 1995, Major Warner was accepted to the United States Military Preparatory School, and subsequently attended West Point from 1996 – 2000. MAJ Warner was commissioned as a 2LT on 27 May 2000. Upon completion of training at Fort Benning, Major Warner served in the Infantry at Fort Campbell as a Rifle Platoon Leader for 1-327th Infantry Regiment. While serving in 1st BCT/101st Airborne, Major Warner deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) I. Major Warner attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection in January 2004. After completion the Infantry Captain’s Career Course and the Special Forces Qualification course, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, WA, in May 2006. Joining his team in Iraq, he commanded Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 196 (1336) until May 2009. While in Special Forces Group (Airborne), Major Warner deployed to Bangladesh (JCET), OIF IV and OIF VI. After sustaining a combat injury, Major Warner departed 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and took command of Alpha Company, Special Operations Recruiting Battalion on 12 June 2009. After successfully serving as Company Commander, Major Warner attended the United States Air Force Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL and earned his Master’s Degree. Major Warner’s Last assignment was serving as Executive Officer for the United States Army Special Operations Recruiting Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Major Warner’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Valorous Unit Award. Major Warner is also authorized to wear the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Operations Combat Diver Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab and Recruiter Identification Badge. His Foreign awards include the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold). Major Warner has also attended the Static Line Jumpmaster Course. Major Warner married Stephanie Holt November 9, 2001 in the Atlanta Georgia LDS Temple. They were blessed with two children, a son, Jacob (5) and a daughter, Elizabeth (2). He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Warner, children, Jacob Warner, Elizabeth Warner, parents, Joyce and Richard Warner, sister, Melanie Warner, mother and father-in-law, Linda and Stephen Holt, of Cairo, GA, sister-in-law, Lynley Holt Slack, and family of Asheboro, NC Grandmothers, Nadine H. Warner, and Lucy N. Clark. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Steven Warner, grandfathers, Kay L. Clark and Donald V. Warner. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of MAJ Joseph L. Warner at United National Bank in Cairo, GA. www.unbonline.com Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at the Rigby LDS Stake Center. The family received friends from 12 noon to 1:45 p.m. prior to services at the Stake Center. Burial took place in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. Services are under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.