Army Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox, 22, of Bloomington, was killed July 22, 2013, while serving in Andar, Ghanzi Province Afghanistan as a result of a petroleum incident involving an Afghanistan truck.  In January 2013, Anthony deployed to Andar Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.   Anthony served as a Petroleum Supply Fueler and a Heavy Wheeled Vehicle Operator for Foxtrot Forward Support Company, 10^th Brigade Support Battalion, 1/87 Infantry Battalion in Fort Drum, NY.

Anthony was born Nov. 15, 1990 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Anthony attended Chiddix Junior High and Normal Community High School.  He began playing Bloomington youth football with the Cardinals, and continued to play through high school.  Anthony was a passionate and very aggressive running back and linebacker football player.  He earned the nickname as "MAD DOG" because of his fierce skills. He completed his senior year in high school in Texas in 2009, living with his birth mom Glenda Key and her husband Ronald.

Anthony was a very quiet person, he had the best smile, and loved family and friends. In January 2011, Anthony made the decision to join the Army.  He attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia.  While stationed at Fort Drum, NY, he participated in Mountain peak, Battalion and Company Situation Training Exercise (STX), and a rotation to the National Training Center (NTC) in Fort Irwin, California.  His military education included the Structured Self-Development - Level 1 and the Combat Lifesaver Course.

Anthony loved serving in the Army, and planned to make it a career. He was committed to serving his country, and his fellow soldiers.  Anthony excelled at every task given, he was a role model, a leader, and encouraged others to reach their goals.  He was physically fit, smart, and eager to get the job done, and carried the Army values.  His battalion leaders shared "He wasn't afraid to run to the sound of the guns when Andar was attacked, he was on the wall.  He was a soldier first, and regardless of fear or danger, he was there to protect his brothers."

Anthony earned the trust from his commanders. His aspiration was to become a Ranger. He was very excited because his platoon Sergeant submitted paperwork to attend Ranger school, he re-enlisted prior to his 1^st deployment to Afghanistan, and he would have been stationed in Hawaii in 2014.  Unfortunately, he was unable to accomplish those goals.

SGT. Anthony R. Maddox's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Anthony's parents, Jerome and Frances Maddox, established the Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Fund to provide financial support for local scholarships and to support other charitable military organizations.

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation serves as fiscal sponsor of the Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Fund. You may make an online donation to the Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Fund, or get information on making a donation in another manner by clicking here.