Unc Pembroke Honor's graduate, soldier, killed in Iraq almost 20 years ago

Robeson County, NC (WPDE) – The University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP) organized a 5 km run last weekend to honor a graduate and army 1LT. Joshua Deese, who died in Iraq.

Deese was 25 years old at the time of his death.

The 1lt Joshua deese Memorial 5k Run/Walk was held to honor the young man who “inspired so many with his courage, friendliness and his unshakable feeling of duty”.

He grew up in the Rowland community Robeson County and completed the South Robeson High School in 1999. He was a graduate of the UNCP in 2003.

The school officers said that Deese had been assigned to the 2nd battalion, the 35th infantry regiment, the 25th infantry department, and during the Operation Iraqi Freedom in northern Iraq as a second deployment during a street bomb near his vehicle. Deese became Jonathan looting together with Soldier. Deese was 25. He is the only UNCP Rotc cadet that is known that he has brought the ultimate victim in the fight.

Disposal: In the shooting probe of Horry County, new details appear; 2 officers displaced

His parents, Ronnie and Rogena Deese, said they are grateful that the university honored and reminded of their son.

“Only very happy that they do something. And that the cadets will really encourage it to be even more considerate what they do for the nation, like Josh. He was very much taken care of what he had to do in the military,” said Rogena Deese.

The proceeds from the Memorial Run/Walk will support future managers of the UNCP RotC program.

The school's website contains the following description of the RotC program:

“The goals of the Army -Rotc program are to motivate and prepare selected students as commissioned officers in the active or reserve components of the army; a practical understanding of the concepts and principles of military science in order to promote a strong feeling of duty, honor and country. Your professional development and effective performance in the uniformed services or in civilian companies.”

The Joshua Deese Memorial page on social media offers a wealth of information about Deese and his life.

You can click here to learn more about him.