Erika Lyn Dacus

Erika is survived by her 16 year old son, Brendan Maxwell Dacus; her mother, Mrs. Rosie Bucknor, her father, Mr. Samuel Brown, Jr., her step father, Mr. Mark Bucknor and her step-mother, Mrs. Williese Brown. She also leaves behind one sister, Shredesca Ann Brown; two brothers, Samuel L. Brown, Jr. and Christopher Phillips, and whole host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and friends. Master Sergeant Erika Dacus is a native of College Park, Georgia. She joined the Army shortly after graduating Benjamin E. Banneker High School in June, 1990. Her Military Occupational Specialty is Maintenance Management Supervisor. Her Additional Skill Identifiers are Parachutist, Instructor, Small Group Leader Instructor, Jumpmaster, and First Sergeant Her 1st duty station was 503rd Combat Heavy Engineers, Hohenfels, Germany. She worked with the Material Maintenance Activity replacing major power trains on various types of equipment. Her next assignment was 63rd Combat Heavy Engineers, Fort Benning, Ga. She participated in the hurricane relief for Homestead after Hurricane Andy. She also deployed to Somalia, Africa where she maintained a line platoon of construction equipment. They moved around clearing roads through the jungle and constructing airfields for food relief. She also worked closely with French Marines and the French Ligonier�s constructing their base. Her next assignment was 302nd Forward Support Battalion Bravo Company where she served in the Depot shop repairing and disposing of discontinued equipment. Her next assignment was 362nd Combat Heavy Engineers (Airborne). She served as the motor sergeant responsible for 4 line platoons of engineer equipment. She deployed to Bosnia, Herzegovina where the unit�s mission was to build camps. Her unit built Tulsa East, Tulsa West, Tulsa Main, and Bed Rock Camps. She was chosen over her peers to instruct at the XVIII Airborne Corps NCO Academy Warrior Leaders Course as a Small Group Leader/Instructor. She then was chosen to serve as the 27th Engineer Battalion Schools NCO. She trained junior enlisted prepping them to be successful in school resulting in numerous distinguished honor graduates. Her next assignment was 61st Maintenance Company, Camp Kyle, Korea. She served as the Ground Support Equipment NCOIC specialized in MK II BEB boats for the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company. Her next assignment was 557th Maintenance Company, Fort Irwin, Ca. She held the position of Technical Inspector but also was in charge of Regeneration and RSOI of units that would come to train for the national training center (a warrant officer position). She deployed with unit to Camp Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq and was on the recovery team. Her next assignment was HHC, 13th CSSB, Fort Benning, Ga. She served as the Maintenance Management NCOIC in the Support Operations Section. She deployed with the unit to Joint Base Balad, Iraq where she was in charge of five battalions� equipment data listing, KBR maintenance facility, ITT allied trades and armament section and L3 CASSMO section. Her next duty assignment was 187th Ordnance Battalion Advance Individual Training for Wheeled Vehicle Mechanics. She taught Hydraulic fundamentals. She also served as the 1SG for D Company with 368 trainees in her charge. Her next duty station was 1/82ND Airborne Division, 3-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC. She served as the Support Operations NCOIC specialized in Environmental Compliance, Left Back Equipment (LBE), Modification Management Information System (MMIS) and Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced (SAMSE). She also served as the 1SG in Fox Forward Support Company. Master Sergeant Dacus military education includes Warrior Leaders Course, Airborne School, Equal Opportunity Course, Advance leadership Course, Basic Instructor Training Course, Small Group Leader course, Jumpmaster Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Sling Load Inspector Certification Course, Senior Leadership Course, Combative Level 1 Course, First Sergeant Course, and Unit Victim Advocate course. Master Dacus civilian education includes an Associates Degree in General Studies. She is working towards her bachelor�s degree in Information Technology Management. Her awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Service Star), Army Commendation Medal (1 SOLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 SOLC), Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, United Nations service Medal, and the Senior Parachutist Badge. Master Sergeant Dacus is single. She has a son, Brendan Dacus who is 16 years old. He attends Brandon High School.

Erika Lyn Dacus

September 13, 1972 - November 26, 2016