Joshua Michael Hyland
Army 1LT
From: Missoula, Missoula County
Date of Death: 8/21/2005
Conflict: Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan
1st Lieutenant Joshua M. Hyland, a native of Missoula, Montana, attended Willard Grade School, St. Joseph’s Elementary, and Loyola Sacred Heart High School. He excelled academically, graduating with a 3.77 GPA in 1992, and also distinguished himself on the football field, playing for four years. After completing two years of study in science and Spanish at the University of Montana, he enlisted in the United States Army on June 22, 1994.
Following basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Lieutenant Hyland volunteered for service with the United States Army Rangers. He successfully completed the Ranger Induction Program and was assigned to Savannah, Georgia, where he met and married his wife Lanie, and welcomed his son Dylan. After receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of Specialist, Lieutenant Hyland and his family returned to his hometown of Missoula.
In 1999, Lieutenant Hyland was awarded a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarship from the University of Montana, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration in just two years. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course as a platoon honor graduate, Lieutenant Hyland graduated from the prestigious United States Army Ranger School.
Tragically, on August 21, 2005, while on patrol operations near Baylough, Afghanistan, an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle an improvised explosive device detonated near Lieutenant Hyland’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, claiming his life. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vicenza, Italy. Lieutenant Hyland’s dedication to his country and his unwavering commitment to excellence will be forever remembered.
