Support the Troops

Sgt. Eric McCoy
Delta Company,
404th Civil Affairs Battalion

US Army Staff Sgt. Eric McCoy lives in River Plaza with his wife, Betsy, and their two children, Nichole, 14 and Quinn, 10. Eric, a long-time resident, is a parks supervisor for Middletown's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department.

Staff Sgt. McCoy joined the Army reserves in 1983 and the National Guard in 1988. He was activated seven times between September 2001 and March 2002 to provide assistance at Ground Zero and homeland security at the Lincoln Tunnel. He chose to re-enlist with the Army reserves and volunteered to go to Iraq in 2005. He was assigned to serve on a Civil Affairs Tactical Team with the 422nd Civil Affairs Unit.

Staff Sgt. McCoy returned to Iraq for another 12-18 month deployment in June 2008 as a member of Delta Company, 404th Civil Affairs Battalion, Special Operations (Airborne) Unit. The battalion consists of 37 members, most whom are on their second and third deployments to Iraq. Most of the soldiers are from New Jersey and about half are police officers.

Civil Affairs soldiers use their military and civilian life experience to help Iraqis improve their communities. This includes helping them to move toward establishment of a local government, holding elections, and building a local army. During Eric's first deployment he also helped arrange for the repair of utility plants, orchestrating humanitarian drops and interacting with school children.

Middletown has adopted Eric and his battalion for the duration of their tour in Iraq.