Casey Joyce
Sgt. James Casey Joyce (August 15 1969 – October 3 1993) was a U.S. Army Ranger who served in Mogadishu, Somalia. He was one of the 18 American soldiers killed during the The Battle of Mogadishu, shot and killed whilst fighting as a part of the "Lost Convoy". Casey was the youngest of three children, a brother, Steven and a sister, Sancy of late LTC (Ret) Larry Joyce, a Vietnam War veteran and his wife, Gail.
Early life
Casey Joyce was born on August 15 1969 to the late LTC (Ret) Larry Joyce, a Vietnam War veteran and his wife, Gail. He was from Fort Rucker, Alabama. Joyce attended Plano High School in his hometown of Plano, Texas, graduating in 1987. After graduating, he went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas at Denton. He enlisted in the Army in November 1990, completed Airborne Training and earned the coveted Ranger tab. He served with the Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning in Georgia.
Military Service
Joyce was one of 18 US military personnel killed in action in Somalia between October 3 and 4, 1993. He had been part of a Rangers unit that climbed down ropes from a helicopter in support of a mission to capture Somali clan leaders. Joyce was killed on the Lost Convoy as he attempted to save the life of one of his fellow rangers. He was 24 years old.
Film and Book portrayals
In the 2001 motion picture Black Hawk Down, based on the operation, Joyce was portrayed by Chris Beetem. Casey Joyce's role in the Battle of Mogadishu was described in the novel Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. Joyce's family and widow, DeAnna were interviewed by the book's author, Mark Bowden, prior to being published in 1999.
See also
- Battle of Mogadishu (1993)
- Black Hawk Down (book)
- Black Hawk Down (film)
- Fall of Mogadishu
- Operation Gothic Serpent
- Somali Civil War
References
- Bowden, Mark, Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War, Atlantic Monthly Press (1999)
- http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jcjoyce.htm
- http://www.nightstalkers.com/tfranger/memorial/joyce/index.html
- http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Black_Hawk_Down/416131