Staff Sgt. Chad Tucker of Titusville, Fla., was a 2000 graduate of Astronaut High School. He entered the United States Army in June 2000 in pursuit of his life long dream of flying helicopters in the Army. Chad had recently been selected for Warrant Officer/Flight School and would have departed in September to begin his training. Chad was a highly decorated veteran from a very prestigious aviation unit known as the "Night Stalkers." His dedicated service upon his Blackhawk resulted in numerous lives being saved under fire. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross Chad risked his life routinely in order to preserve the lives of those who were in harms way. A highly skilled crew chief and a veteran of numerous deployments Chad went to be with the Lord while in training to prepare for further combat operations in even more challenging environments. Chad was a devoted husband, father and son. Chad loved his family as well as his extended military family whom he spoke of constantly. Chad is survived by his one true love, Megan Tucker; his cherished son, Jeremy, loving parents, Wanda and Dale Tucker; sister, Crystal Castaner (Carlos); grandparents, R.G. Tucker and Joan Miller; mother-in-law, Terri Stoops; father-in-law, Jeff Stoops (Nancy); sister-in-law, Melissa Perry (Neil), and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Chad is preceded in death by his grandmother, Florine Tucker and grandfather, Darrell Miller. Chad died at age 28 when his MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Leadville, Colo., during a training mission. Four Army Special Operations Aviation Soldiers died in the helicopter crash.
Staff Sgt. Chad Tucker of Titusville, Fla., was a 2000 graduate of Astronaut High School. He entered the United States Army in June 2000 in pursuit of his life long dream of flying helicopters in the Army. Chad had recently been selected for Warrant Officer/Flight School and would have departed in September to begin his training. Chad was a highly decorated veteran from a very prestigious aviation unit known as the "Night Stalkers." His dedicated service upon his Blackhawk resulted in numerous lives being saved under fire. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross Chad risked his life routinely in order to preserve the lives of those who were in harms way. A highly skilled crew chief and a veteran of numerous deployments Chad went to be with the Lord while in training to prepare for further combat operations in even more challenging environments. Chad was a devoted husband, father and son. Chad loved his family as well as his extended military family whom he spoke of constantly. Chad is survived by his one true love, Megan Tucker; his cherished son, Jeremy, loving parents, Wanda and Dale Tucker; sister, Crystal Castaner (Carlos); grandparents, R.G. Tucker and Joan Miller; mother-in-law, Terri Stoops; father-in-law, Jeff Stoops (Nancy); sister-in-law, Melissa Perry (Neil), and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Chad is preceded in death by his grandmother, Florine Tucker and grandfather, Darrell Miller. Chad died at age 28 when his MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Leadville, Colo., during a training mission. Four Army Special Operations Aviation Soldiers died in the helicopter crash.
