#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Daniel Desilets

Veteran of the Day graphic created by Tenzin Chomphel.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Daniel Desilets. Daniel served in the Kosovo War and Iraq War.

Daniel enlisted in the Army in November 1989. He was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama for basic training and subsequently to the Army Military Police (MP) school. He was then assigned to the 463rd MP company in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and deployed to Panama and Honduras.

He was then assigned Heidelberg, Germany as a NATO MP and then to Friedberg, Germany with the 127th MP company in which he deployed to Kosovo to take part in the Kosovo War. Daniel also served in various units in Germany, Alabama and Alaska. His most notable assignment was when he was assigned to the 501st MP company, 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany. During this tour, he was assigned as a platoon sergeant and deployed to Iraq twice in 2007 and 2009 where he worked closely with the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police conducting security patrols in Tikrit, Baquba, Baghdad, and Muqdadia.

During his service, Daniel attended various schools such as Air Assault, Jungle Operations, Basic Mountaineering, Physical Security, Antiterrorism Officer Level II, MP Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer, Combat Lifesaver, Cold Weather leadership and Primary and Basic leadership.

Daniel was awarded the Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service medals, two Army Commendation medals, Joint Service Achievement medal, four Army Achievement Medals, Kosovo Campaign Medal, two Iraq Campaign medals and the NATO medal.

Daniel retired from the Army in 2016 at the rank of Sergeant First Class. He currently lives in Naples, Italy with his wife, whom he met in Germany, and son.

Thank you for your service, Daniel!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Ashley Levi contributed to this story.