Titusville, Florida, US
U.S. Army
SSGT, 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR
08/19/2009, Leadville, US
Staff Sergeant Chad A. Tucker, 28, died Aug. 19, 2009, when his MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Leadville, Colo., during a training mission.
Tucker was a native of Titusville, Fla., and volunteered for Army service in June 2000. Following basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis, Va., Tucker served with 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment at Coleman Barracks, Germany, as both a helicopter mechanic and crew chief. In 2003, he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a helicopter mechanic. Tucker arrived to 1st Battalion, 160th SOAR (A), at Fort Campbell, Ky., in January 2004.
He is a combat veteran with 14 deployments, all in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His military training includes the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, the Unit Prevention Leader Course, the Warrior Leader Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Special Operations Training Course, the Combat Life Savers Course and the Small Arms Maintenance Course. Tucker’s awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal for Valor, nine Air Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, the Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal-three Campaign Stars, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, two NCO Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, the Combat Action Badge, the Basic Aviation Badge, and the Senior Aviation Badge.
Tucker is survived by his wife Megan Tucker and his son Jeremy of Fort Campbell, Ky.; and his father and mother, Wendell and Wanda Tucker, of Titusville, Fla.; and his sister, Crystal Castaner, of Titusville, Fla.