Colonel (Retired) Joseph D. Celeski, 69, a 20-year resident of Buford, GA, and distinguished Army officer and author passed away on February 13, 2023 following a short illness. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan to Raymond and Louise Celeski. He graduated with honors from Richard King HS, Corpus Christi, TX in 1971 and received his Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, Carlisle, PA. He married Judy Wade of Buford, GA and spent his life devoted to his family and 30-year military career. He is survived by his wife Judy Ann Celeski, his daughter Rebecca Hahn (husband Timothy Hahn) of Caroline County, VA, his son Bryan Strickland (wife Carrie Strickland) of Puerto Rico; 4 grandchildren, Jonathan Strickland of Denison, IA, Katelyn Wise of Buford, GA, Savannah JoAnn Wise of Caroline County, VA, Hannah Griffiths of Atlanta, GA; 2 great-grandchildren, Valentine Strickland and Ulysses Joseph Strickland both of Denison, IA; his sister Lynda Fredrickson of Bend, OR, sister Colleen Celeski and brother Raymond Celeski both of Oklahoma City, OK, brother Gregory Celeski of San Antonio, TX. Colonel (R) Celeski was an avid collector and historian of military artifacts. In addition, he authored several books related to Special Forces campaigns and was a speaker for numerous military audiences. Funeral services and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery 9am June 1, 2023. You may send flowers to the family or make a donation to one of the following organizations: Veterans Association of America, Wounded Warriors or Special Operations Association to help families who have lost loved ones. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Joseph at hamiltonmillchapel.com

COL Joseph D. Celeski retired from a thirty-year career with the U.S. Army in September, 2004 after successful completion of commanding the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He assumed command of the Group in May 2002 in Afghanistan where he also served as the commander of the Combined and Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF) for two tours in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His published works include articles on Special Forces in Somalia, the use of Special Forces in joint urban combat, and three monographs on Counterinsurgency in the 21st Century (JSOU Press).

Colonel Celeski enlisted in the Army in 1974 as an armor crewman and served in the 1st AD. Upon promotion to sergeant, he entered OCS and was commissioned in February 1978 as an armor officer. He attended the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox and served in the Federal Republic of Germany. As a member of 3/64th Armor, 3d Infantry Division, Colonel Celeski served as an M-60A1 tank platoon leader, battalion motor officer, and company commander of an M1 tank company.

During 1983, Colonel Celeski attended the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by attendance at Columbus College in the Degree Completion Program, where he obtained a BS in Political Science. After graduation, Colonel Celeski volunteered for Special Forces, attended the SFQC and was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as an SFOD-A Commander and as the B500 Company Commander in El Paso, Texas. From 1988 to 1989, Colonel Celeski attended DLI for Modern Standard Arabic and was subsequently assigned as an advisor in the Royal Jordanian 1st Armor Battalion. Following that assignment, he attended CGSC at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon his graduation, he returned to the 5th SFG(A) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served as the S3 of the 1st Battalion and then as the Group S3. Colonel Celeski attended the Armed Forces Staff College and served a tour with SOCCENT as the Ground Operations Officer in the J3 and as the Deputy J5 for Plans and also served in Somalia. He returned to the 5th SFG in June 1996 to serve as Commander of the 2nd Battalion. Upon completion of battalion command, Colonel Celeski was assigned to the USASFC(A), where he served as the G3 and then the Chief of Staff until attending the Army War College. Upon graduation, he served as the CJSOTF Commander in Sarajevo, Bosnia- Herzegovina, in support of NATO’s Operation JOINT FORGE. His last assignment, prior to assuming group command, was as Deputy Commanding Officer, U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne). He became a fully qualified Joint Officer and was also trained in the Arabic Language.

Colonel Celeski is also a graduate of the Marine Amphibious Warfare Course, the U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College, and the Army Force Management Course. Colonel Celeski was designated as a Joint Specialty Officer during his career. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University, Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, Carlisle, PA.

Colonel Celeski was among one of the first recipients of the St. Philip Neri awards (Bronze) for his active service in Special Forces. Colonel Celeski’s other awards and decorations include the Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star (w/1OLC), The GWOT Expeditionary Medal, The Afghan Campaign Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with two stars), United Nations Medal for Operations in Somalia, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, NATO Medal (Bosnia service), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab, Air Assault and Master Parachutist Badges, and Special Forces Tab.