Staff Sergeant Matthew “Josko” Joskowitz (1995–2019), served in the U.S. Army from 2014 to 2019 and is Bergen County’s Veteran of the Month for the month of January!
Matthew was born and raised in Fairview and went to school in Cliffside Park. Matthew enlisted to the Army in 214 and served in the Army’s prestigious 82nd Airborne Division.
During his service he received several accolades, among them being the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal x2 (with combative device and three oak leaf clusters respectively), the Army Good Conduct medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with one campaign star), the GWOT medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon and the NATO Medal.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Joskowitz was a dedicated soldier and leader who rose quickly through the ranks, earning a promotion to Staff Sergeant at just 24 years old. Known for his fighting spirit and unwavering determination, he was respected throughout his brigade. Before joining the Army, Matthew was a standout wrestler at Cliffside Park High School, where he became the first wrestler in school history to achieve 100 career victories.
He carried his competitive spirit into the Army, winning his division’s “Combatives” Tournament two years in a row. His legacy continues at Cliffside Park High School through the wrestling tournament named in his honor, ensuring his contributions are remembered by future generations.
Tragically, Matthew passed away in 2019 in a non-training-related accident at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Beyond his professional achievements, Matthew was admired for his humility, integrity, and strong moral character. He was a caring son, a loving big brother, and a loyal friend. His dedication extended beyond his military duties—he had plans to return to New Jersey to volunteer as a wrestling coach and give back to his community.
Staff Sergeant Joskowitz’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, and he will always be remembered as a soldier, leader, and hero.
We honor Matthew for his service to our nation! May he rest in peace.
Nominate a Veteran for #BergenCountyVeteranOfTheMonth
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?
The #BergenCountyVeteranOfTheMonth social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Bergen County Division of Veteran Services
The Division of Veterans Services was established in 1977 to provide resident veterans and their dependents with information and assistance in obtaining earned entitlements from federal, state, and local governments, as well as any that are available from the private sector.
Through a quarterly newsletter and direct client contact, the division provides Bergen’s veterans organizations and their auxiliaries and individual residents with up-to-date benefit information.
