Joseph Eugene Proctor
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Joseph Eugene Proctor served in the Indiana National Guard from 1986 to 1988, and then went into the Army and served during Operation Desert Storm. He re-enlisted in the National Guard after the attacks of 11 September 2001 and was federalized from the Indiana National Guard for combat duty in Iraq. He was killed just two weeks before he was scheduled to return home.

On 3 May 2006, then-Sergeant Joseph Eugene Proctor was serving as Military Transition Team Trainer for 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, SGT Proctor, a Military Transition Team Trainer in the Anbar Province of Iraq, was serving in one of the most dangerous and challenging jobs a soldier can perform. Previously, SGT Proctor was a petroleum supply specialist who volunteered from the task force support platoon. SGT Proctor was in almost constant danger patrolling the most violent areas of the 5 Kilo District of Tammim, often with only one other coalition force member present. SGT Proctor would spend several consecutive days at Observation Post 293, one of the most isolated areas in Ramadi. This observation post had been a target for insurgents in the Tammim area and routinely came under attack. On the afternoon of 3 May, SGT Proctor was on duty when Observation Post 293 came under one of the fiercest attacks since its establishment. At about 1415 hours, Observation Post 293 began receiving indirect fire. At least 4 rounds landed, some within extremely close proximity and some directly on the observation post. SGT Proctor was in a relatively safe location at the time, inside the barracks, which was a cement structure. Cognizant of the hazards outside the barracks and without any official order to leave the safety of the building, SGT Proctor quickly donned his protective equipment and secured his weapon. SGT Proctor developed an expedient plan, left the safety of the building to assess the situation and render aid to those on security who were under attack. Shortly after SGT Proctor entered the compound, the observation post was attacked with small-arms fire and it appeared they were under a complex attack. The severity of the attack ultimately was a diversion by the enemy in its attempt to destroy the observation post with a large, powerful and deadly vehicular suicide bomb. A large dump truck penetrated the west gate during the complex attack and continued moving toward the center of the observation post. SGT Proctor immediately and aggressively stood his ground in the compound, firing over 25 rounds from his M16 into the cab of the vehicular suicide bomb. SGT Proctor neither wavered nor flinched, engaging the vehicle head-on as it was moving toward him and the remaining Soldiers in the building. SGT Proctor killed the driver of the dump truck before the truck could enter further into the interior of the compound. The vehicular suicide bomb detonated causing significant destruction from the point of the explosion. SGT Proctor was mortally wounded where he made his stand against the attack. SGT Proctor saved countless lives that day by stopping the driver before he could reach his objective. SGT Proctor’s selfless, courageous action that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Combat Action Badge

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Joseph Eugene Proctor, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Military Transition Team Trainer for the 1st Battalion, 172d Armor, Camp Ramadi, Iraq on 3 May 2006 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Sergeant Proctor's personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant Joseph Eugene Proctor is buried at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, Johnson County, IN.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14178348/joseph-eugene-proctor