Plainfield Post Office Set to Honor Fallen Soldier with Renaming
The Plainfield, Illinois post office may soon bear a new name in honor of a local hero. Legislation proposed by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood aims to rename the facility at 14855 S. Van Dyke Road as the “Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building.”
“It’s a bittersweet, very proud honor,” expressed Letitia Dueñez, mother of the fallen soldier, to Military.com. “We are so very proud of our son and happy that this is going to happen.”
The proposed legislation has successfully passed the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with full bipartisan support. It is now pending review by the House of Representatives, as stated in an official announcement by Congresswoman Underwood.
“Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. represents the best of our community. He was an extraordinary hero who served his country with strength and resilience,” stated Rep. Underwood in her communication with Military.com. “I’m honored to lead this legislation to permanently commemorate his sacrifice and service. The Plainfield Post Office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to his country, but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son.”
Dueñez was a long-time resident of Plainfield, where he completed his high school education before enlisting in the Army. He tragically lost his life in March 2025 during a training exercise in Lithuania.
“Before my son joined the Army, we would hear about instances of things happening, soldiers being killed,” his mother recounted. “But when it touches home, then you truly know how it feels when a tragedy happens.”
Born in 1999, Dueñez grew up in Joliet, Illinois, with his five sisters. He achieved the rank of staff sergeant in 2020 after multiple promotions and served in Poland, Germany, and Lithuania. His commendations include two Army Commendation Medals and three Army Achievement Medals.
His legacy will live on with the renaming of the Plainfield Post Office.
“I feel that when people go to that post office, they will be going to see my son,” Letitia shared with Military.com. “They’ll understand the sacrifice he made and the sacrifice of anyone who has served.”
Staff Sergeant Dueñez leaves behind his wife, Karen, and their son, Jose Dueñez III. His family, including his parents and five sisters, continue to honor his memory.
“It hits different when it hits home. Hopefully, with my son’s name on the post office, people will know his name and the legacy he leaves behind,” Letitia added.
An obituary excerpt from April 2025 reads: “The circumstances of Jose’s passing are incredibly challenging for his family. However, there is some measure of peace that can be taken in the knowledge that Jose was not alone in his final moments. He was surrounded by his brothers-in-arms.”
