Alex Viola - U.S. Military

Staff Sgt. Alex A. Viola, age 29, of Keller, Texas, died on November 17, 2013, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Alex was born in New York but the family moved to Texas when he was nine years old.  He liked hockey and played on teams for Fossil Ridge and Keller High Schools. 

Alex graduated from Keller High School in 2002.  He graduated from the University of North Texas with an engineering degree. 

Alex joined the Army National Guard in June of 2009 and began Special Forces training in April of 2010 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  He graduated from the Special Forces qualification course in June of 2011 and was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group at Camp Williams, Utah.  In March of 2013 he was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. 

This was his first deployment overseas. 

Father, place Alex on the
stairway to Heaven

Alex was the recipient of the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-commissioned Officer Development Ribbon with Numeral 2, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Special Operations Dive Badge, and the Special Forces Tab.

Family members stated that he was a great guy. He was doing what he wanted to do and he kept trying and training. He was focused and driven. He will forever be missed.

Alex is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his parents Margaret and Frank; and his sister, Christina.

Thank you for serving, Alex.

Pray without ceasing unto God for an end to this war in Afghanistan. It is enough. We are sick with grief for men like Alex.

Pray that Alex is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.