PLANO, TX, USA U.S. Army SSG , 759th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade BAGHDAD, IRAQ 10/10/2007
Staff Sergeant Eric Thomas Duckworth was passionate about sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys and NASCAR. Growing up in Plano, Texas, he played youth baseball and football, and was always a sports fan. He was a friendly and lively guy who made friends easily. He wanted to make a difference and felt honored to serve his country. Eric was a great man, a tremendous leader and extremely dedicated as described by friends and associates who looked up to him. Fellow service members noted that he was a phenomenal soldier and an even better leader.
Born in Dallas, Texas, Eric attended high school in the Houston area while living with his father, Michael Duckworth. He started his senior year at Plano East High School but graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1999. During high school, he excelled in ROTC and was nominated to the leadership council his junior year, his family said. He was also selected to attend a national ROTC council meeting for outstanding leaders.
Days after graduating in 1999, Eric joined the Army at age 18. He started his tour of duty in Iraq in August 2006 and was due to return home in November 2006. SGT Duckworth first served with the infantry but was later assigned to the 759th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Eric’s mother, Ila Duckworth notes that Justin was very much a family man and had considered following his Army career with civilian law enforcement. Eric’s family includes his widow, Sonya Lynn Duckworth, and his parents as well as his daughter, Madison, 4, son Michael, 1, and stepdaughter Kaylynn, 10.
Eric was assigned to the 759th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, based at Fort Carson, Colorado. Eric died Oct. 10, 2007 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle which was leading a convoy. Eric is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and was saluted with full military honors. Eric was twenty-six years old.
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