SSG Edwin Dazachacon, age 38, who has lived in Shiloh, Illinois and Diamondbar, California, died February 13, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations north of Deh Rawod, Afghanistan.  SSG Dazachacon was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, NC.  He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th SFG(A) as a senior cryptologic lignuist.

Edwin was born in Colombia and grew up in Miami.  He spoke Spanish and was a college graduate.

SSG Dazachacon joined the army in March 1990.  After leaving active duty he joined the National Guard.  He then returned to active duty after 9/11 in 2005.

He served with the 508^th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) in Vincenza, Italy and participated in deployments in Southwest Asia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and the Sinai.  He also served with 1^st Battalion, 504^th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, N.C.,  during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

HIs military education included Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training for Infantrymen, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Jumpmaster Course.

SSG DazaChacon’s awards and decorations included the Bronze Star with “V” device, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal,  Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Senior Parachutist Badge, Tunisian Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Combat Action Badge.

A funeral was held on February 23, 2006 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  A memorial mass was held on March 18, 2006 at Saint Teresa Catholic Church in Belleville, Illinois.  He is survived by his mother, father, and two sisters.
 

Memorials to Edwin Dazachacon.

Legacy Guestbook for SSG Dazachacon.

News Articles About SSG Dazachacon.

February 13, 2006.  "Four U.S. Service Members Killed in IED Strike".  U.S. Centcom Casualty Report.

February 15, 2006.  "Soldier's death parts combat buddies".  STL Today.

February 15, 2006.  "N.C. - based Soldier Killed in Afghanistan".  abc11tv.

February 15, 2006.  "Shiloh Soldier Killed In Afghanistan".  KSDK News Channel 5.

February 16, 2006.  "Downstate soldier killed by Afghanistan mine".  Chicago Tribune.

February 16, 2006.  "Fort Bragg soldier a casualty".  Fayetteville Online.

February 17, 2006.  "DoD Identifies Army Casualties".  U.S. Department of Defense News Release.

February 17, 2006.  "Special Operations Soldiers killed in Afghanistan".  USASOC News Service.

February 17, 2006.  "Three N.C.-based soldiers killed in Afghanistan".  Army Times.

February 17, 2006.  "Costello recalls fallen soldier".  Edwardsville Intelligencer.

February 18, 2006.  "Pentagon identifies four soldiers killed by bomb in Afghanistan".  Stars & Stripes.

February 18, 2006.  "Soldiers had ties to Bragg".  Fayetteville Online.

February 24, 2006.  "We Remember".  Maine Times Record.

March 16, 2006.  "Memorial Mass set for sergeant killed in Afghanistan".  Belleville News-Democrat.

March 19, 2006.  "Shiloh man remembered as one who lived what he believed".  Belleville News-Democrat.

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