Spc. John J. Edmunds was born January 3, 1981 in Colorado and volunteered for military service with the United States Army, July 20, 1999.

He completed basic training and advanced individual training in the military operational specialty of infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia. He volunteered for the second time to attend Airborne School. In November 1999, he completed airborne training at Fort Benning.

A third-time volunteer by requesting to be assigned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, Specialist Edmunds completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment on December 27, 1999. He continued his Ranger training by graduating from the Ranger School, making him a four-time volunteer.

As a Ranger, Specialist Edmunds distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit and was a highly trained and motivated soldier.