Inland soldier killed in Iraq

10:00 PM PDT on Friday, April 14, 2006

Cpl. Joseph Anthony Blanco, 25, of Bloomington, was killed in a firefight in Taji, Iraq, Tuesday.

Special to The Press-Enterprise

Joseph Anthony Blanco, of Bloomington, had planned to attend college after the Army, and was considering a career in law enforcement. He was killed Tuesday.

Blanco had been in the U.S. Army three years, his brother-in-law Perry Davis said Friday by telephone.

Blanco grew up in Bloomington and graduated from Bloomington High School, Davis said. He had planned on attending college when he got out of the army and was considering a career in law enforcement.

Blanco's hobbies included physical fitness, including weightlifting and martial arts. He had earned the rank of black belt in Hap Ki Do at a studio in Fontana. He also taught young students there.

Blanco was not married and had no children.

--David Raclin

draclin@PE.com

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