Judge Advocate: Joe Benacci

Joe enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 1982 and graduated basic training and AIT at
Ft. Sill, Oklahoma as a Field Artillery Surveyor. He was assigned to the 4 th Battalion, 92nd Field
Artillery located in Erie. Throughout his career he served in multiple units and obtained several
military occupational skills such as a Forward Observer and an Automated Logistical Specialist.
In 1996, Joe was one of the first two members of a newly organized unit located in Erie, the
542 nd Quartermaster Company (Force Provider). During his 21 years of service he has held many
leadership positions and retired in 2002 at the rank of First Sergeant.
In November 2001, the 542nd was activated to support Operation Enduring Freedom and
deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, and was assigned to the 501st Logistical Task Force at
Camp Stronghold Freedom (K2). His unit was responsible for the set-up, operation and
maintenance of Camp Stronghold Freedom a Logistical Base Camp for roughly 5,000 Coalition
Forces located in Uzbekistan and assisted in the build-up of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
Joe is a Gold Legacy Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 470 in Erie. He’s held the
positions of Post Adjutant, Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander and Post Quartermaster
where he achieved “All-State” status in 2016. He also held District 28 positions as Jr. and Sr.
Vice Commander, and District Commander where he obtained “Outstanding District
Commander” designation. He was selected to the National Legislative Committee, and was
named National Aide de Camp, and National Deputy Chief of Staff. He is a member of the
VFW Military Order of the Cooties, a life member of the VFW National Home for Children, and
a member of the American Legion and AMVETS. He sits on the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and
Sailors’ Home Advisory Council and is a member of the Erie County Veterans Memorial Park
Committee.