Visitors to the main post office in Plainfield, Illinois, could soon see it renamed for a fallen soldier, killed overseas in the line of duty. New legislation sponsored by Illinois Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois) is under consideration to designate the facility at 14855 S. Van Dyke Road in Plainfield as the "Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building."
"It's a bittersweet, very proud honor," said Dueñez's mother, Letitia, in an interview with Military.com. "We are so very proud of our son and happy that this is going to happen."
In a statement posted to her official government website, Congresswoman Underwood announced that her legislation has passed the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with unanimous bipartisan support. It is now awaiting consideration by the full House of Representatives.
“Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. represents the best of our community. He was an extraordinary hero who served his country with strength and resilience,” Rep. Underwood said in her statement obtained by Military.com about the fallen soldier who died in 2025. “I’m honored to lead this legislation to permanently commemorate his sacrifice and service. The Plainfield Post Office will bear his name as a reminder of his contributions not only to his country, but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son.”
Through her tears, Dueñez's mother says the family lived in Plainfield for many years, and her son finished high school there before enlisting in the Army after graduation, serving seven years of active duty until he was tragically killed in March 2025 during an Army training exercise in Lithuania.
"Before my son joined the Army, we would hear about instances of things happening, soldiers being killed," she said. "But when it touches home, then you truly know how it feels when a tragedy happens."
Born on April 8, 1999, Dueñez was largely raised in Joliet, Illinois, along with his five sisters. As a soldier, he was promoted five times, becoming a staff sergeant in November 2020. Dueñez served in three overseas deployments, including Poland in 2019, Germany in 2020, and Lithuania in 2025.
He was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals and a National Defense Service Medal.
But his longest-lasting achievement, posthumously, will be the renaming of the Plainfield Post Office.
"I feel that when people go to that post office, they will be going to see my son," his mother, Letitia, told Military.com. "They'll understand the sacrifice he made and the sacrifice of anyone who has served."
In addition to his parents, Jose Sr. and Letitia Dueñez, Staff Sergeant Dueñez is survived by his wife, Karen, whom he met and married during his years as an Army soldier. Together, they welcomed their son Jose Dueñez III. The late staff sergeant is also survived by his five sisters.
"It hits different when it hits home. Hopefully, with my son's name on the post office, people will know his name and the legacy he leaves behind," said his mother, Letitia.
An excerpt from the April 2025 obituary of Staff Sergeant Dueñez reads: "The circumstances of Jose’s passing are incredibly challenging for his family. However, there is some measure of peace that can be taken in the knowledge that Jose was not alone in his final moments. He was surrounded by his brothers-in-arms."
