On a crisp Christmas Eve in 2005, amid the dust and danger of Baqubah, Iraq, Master Sergeant Joseph J. Andres Jr. led his team into combat operations as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. What should have been a quick mission turned deadly when enemy forces engaged his element with small-arms fire. A seasoned Green Beret, Andres sustained fatal injuries and passed away later that day in Balad at the age of 34.
Joe’s death marked a profound loss for the Special Forces community, but it also immortalized a playful nickname that captured his spirit: “The Baghdad Christmas Cake Thief.”
Today, nearly two decades later, a simple holiday tradition involving those very cakes ensures his legacy endures, turning grief into a yearly act of remembrance shared by families, veterans, and strangers alike.
Born in 1971 in Garfield Heights, Ohio, a working-class suburb of Cleveland, Joe Andres grew up with a strong sense of duty. He graduated from Padua Franciscan High School in Parma in 1989, where he excelled in academics and athletics.
Initially pursuing materials engineering at the University of Akron, Andres felt a stronger pull toward service. He enlisted in the Army Reserve as a combat medic in February 1992 and transitioned to active duty in April 1993.
His early assignments took him to Wiesbaden, Germany and Fort Bliss, Texas. Andres’ career trajectory shifted dramatically when he volunteered for the grueling Special Forces Qualification Course.
Upon completion, he earned his Green Beret and was assigned as a communications sergeant to A Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington. By 2005, he had transferred to the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving as a special operations team member.
Throughout his service, Andres deployed multiple times, earning a reputation for bravery and camaraderie. His awards reflected his valor: the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (posthumously), Purple Heart (posthumous), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and many others.
But beyond the medals, Joe was known for his infectious humor and ability to boost morale in the harshest environments. It was this lighter side that birthed the “Baghdad Christmas Cake Thief” legend.
Rick Hogg here, founder of War HOGG Tactical. I want to share my story about my good friend MSG Joe Andres, AKA The Baghdad Christmas Cake Thief, Killed In Action 24 December 2005.
They say you die twice. Once when you physically pass and second when your name is said for the last time. Please help me keep Joe’s memory alive and share this story. Thank you and God bless you and your families.
Back in 2005, the Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes came two to a pack. Joe had a mischievous habit of pilfering these treats from his teammates’ stashes. I remember finding single cakes mysteriously appearing in his bed, in my boot, or in my kit. Puzzled by the anonymous pranks, I could never figure out who it was.
On December 24th, 2005 I caught the Baghdad Christmas Cake Thief, and finally discovered the culprit, it was Joe Andres. This was mere hours before Joe’s final mission and that is the memory I want to share to help keep Joe’s memory alive.
The act wasn’t malicious; it was Joe’s way of injecting joy and normalcy into the chaos of war, reminding us of home during the holidays. Tragically, that revelation came on the eve of Joe’s death.
I think of Joe daily, and have turned the anecdote into a heartfelt tradition to honor my fallen friend. In a LinkedIn post that has been shared widely, I urge others to adopt the “Hogg house family tradition.” Purchase a box of Christmas cakes (now packaged as singles), eat part of it if desired, and hide the rest for a family member or friend to find.
This gesture mimics Joe’s playful thefts, turning a simple snack into a symbol of remembrance. Please share and help keep Joe’s memory alive, and remember to pray for the Andres family and all fallen service members and their families.
This tradition has snowballed far beyond my circle. Every December, tributes flood social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), where veterans and civilians alike recount the story and share pictures of the Christmas Cakes. Unfortunately Instagram found one of our post of Joe’s headstone violated their community guidelines. No explanation just pure Meta censorship against a fallen US Service Member.
In 2024, posts from our Instagram War HOGG Tactical account showed Joe’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery adorned with a fresh rose and American flag, left by a stranger who had heard the tale. Commenters commit to incorporating the cake-hiding ritual into their holidays, with one veteran promising to bring a tree cake to dinner in Andres’s honor, alongside toasts to other fallen friends.
The Green Beret Foundation and United States Army Special Operations Command continue to honor Andres annually, sharing his biography on memorials and social media.
Recently the City of Seven Hills Ohio honored Joe with a naming of a park after him to help keep his memory alive. His parents, Joseph and Sandra Andres were present at the ceremony.
In a world where military sacrifices can fade from public memory, the Baghdad Christmas Cake Thief endures as a beacon of humanity amid heroism. Each hidden cake isn’t just a prank, it’s a quiet vow to remember Joe Andres, the man who stole treats to share with me, ensuring his spirit brightens holidays long after that fateful Christmas Eve.
