Master Sergeant Boris Tucker: Age 64

Master Sergeant MSG) Boris Tucker served 35 years in the U.S. military including 12 years on active duty in the U.S. Army and 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserve including four deployments. His Miliary Occupational Specialty (MOS) was (92-A) Automated Logistics Specialist. He received the following medals, decorations, badges, citations and campaign ribbons: Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, with two campaign stars, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 20 year device silver hourglass, Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal (four awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (three awards), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (two awards), National Defense Service Medal, (two awards), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (three awards), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (five awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device and Air Assault Badge.

MSG Tucker was born November 16, 1960 in Mobile, AL, to his parents, James E. Jackson and Mary Tucker, where he was reared, and while in high school, he participated in track and football. He graduated from Willaimson High School in 1980 and attended Bishop State Junior College for one year before volunteering and enlisting in the U.S. Army in September 1981.

MSG Tucker's military service began with his completion of training at the Army's Boot Camp at Ft. Jackson, S.C., and he completed MOS School training in supply with the motor pool at Ft Lee, VA. His first duty station was at Ft. Campbell, KY, for one year where he attended the Sabalausky Air Assault School and trained in rappelling, descending from a hovering helicopter using a rope. This was followed by deployment in 1983 to the Ledward Barracks at the U.S. Army Garrison at Schweinfurt, Germany for two years. Next, he served at Ft. Hood for two years, and he worked in the supply room. His MOS was changed to Quartermaster where he worked with the laundry. While there, he went to Ft. Lee, VA, where he completed six months of training at the Noncommission Officer Academy (BNCO) School. He returned to Ft. Hood, and his unit was sent to Heidelburg, Germany, for one year. While there, he converted from active duty to Reserve in 1994 with his remaining military service involving one weekend each month and two weeks each summer. He then returned to AL and served at Ft. Rucker temporarily. Next, he worked as a civilian in Enterprise, AL, and served with the 383rd Reserve Unit in Troy, AL, for three years, and his Unit served TDY for two weeks at Meinheim, Germany. He then served with the 787th Reserve Unit at Dothan, AL, for two years followed by service with the 803rd Reserve Unit at Opelika, AL. While serving with the Reserve Units, he deployed on three tours to Irag and one tour to Afghanistan. MSG Tucker retired from all military service April 20, 2015 at Opelika, AL.

Using the G.I. Bill, MSG Tucker received a B.S. Degree in International Culinary Restaurant Management from the Art Institute of Pittsburg, and he has worked with the U.S. Postal Service since 2006 in Montgomery, AL. He and his wife, Betty, have been married one year. His daughter is currently serving in the U. S. Army. He and his wife are members of the Lily Baptist Church of Montgomery, AL, where he serves as a deacon, an usher and a member of the choir, and she serves as Associate Minister. He is a member of the Charles L. Martin American Legion Post 1948 in Montgomery, AL.

MSG Tucker's conclusions about what his service in the U.S. military has meant to him are: "It meant a lot to me. It gave me an opportunity to grow as a man. It gave me an opportunity to appreciate life. When I went to other countries, I saw how poor people lived. I thank God for sparing my life." He would like people to remember him as someone who loved his family and serving his community. He was a good father and husband and someone who loved God.