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In His Honor, For Those Still Fighting

"He was one of the finest Armor officers the U.S. Army has produced, as evident by his being one of the first Armor officers to be stationed at Fort Bragg."

- Army Captain John Hartsock

Erick was a born leader who pushed himself relentlessly and cared deeply for his soldiers. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 2000 after graduating from Duquesne University, he first deployed to Iraq in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later earned his Ranger Tab and served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, where he commanded A Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment. On August 28, 2007, while leading a patrol in Muqdadiya, Iraq, Erick was wounded in an ambush and passed away the following day. A respected combat leader, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.