Staff Sergeant Alex A. Viola was born on April 17, 1984, on Long Island, New York, and grew up in Keller, Texas, a city in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. His parents Frank and Margaret Viola and his sister Christina were the center of his world. Alex was a gifted student who earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Texas.
Alex was determined to serve in special operations. He enlisted in the Army National Guard in June 2009 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Camp Williams, Utah. He also pursued his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL, but an injury during Hell Week ended that path. Undeterred, he committed himself to Army Special Forces as an engineer sergeant and graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in June 2011. His military education also includes the Basic Airborne Course, the Combat Lifesaver Course, the Warrior Leader Course, SERE, the Advanced Leader Course and the Combat Diver Qualification Course.
In March 2013 Alex was mobilized to active duty and assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), with Operational Detachment Alpha 7325, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was his first deployment. On November 17, 2013, while he was on a dismounted patrol in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device. Alex died of his wounds. He was 29 years old.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Special Operations Diver Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
Those who met Alex were struck by his character. One friend recalled, “I remember meeting Alex and being immediately struck by what a rare person he was. His passion to protect our country and our lives was immediately evident.” He is remembered by his family, by the University of North Texas and by the Green Beret Regiment as a brilliant, driven young man who chose the hardest path to serve his country.
On November 17, 2013 Alex lost his life to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on dismounted patrol.
Memorial Valor Foundation
Sources
- DVIDS: Fallen Warrior: Staff Sgt. Alex Viola (June 16, 2023)
- ARSOF History: Alex A. Viola
- NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth: Keller soldier killed in Afghanistan
- University of North Texas, The North Texan: Alex Viola
- Special Forces Foundation: Alex A. Viola
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Alex Viola bio
