Charles Edward Wyckoff
Sergeant, U.S. Army

Charles Edward Wyckoff grew up in Chula Vista, CA, and graduated from Chula Vista High School with the class of 1996. After graduation, Wyckoff attended San Francisco State but later transferred to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. He graduated in 2002 with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science with the hope that it would allow him to attend rotary-wing flight school and become a Warrant Officer, flying helicopters. In June 2004, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed Infantry training at Fort Benning, GA.

On 6 June 2007, Sergeant Charles Edward Wyckoff was serving with 3rd Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army based at Fort Bragg, NC and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. It was SGT Wyckoff's first combat deployment.

On that day, SGT Wyckoff was a Rifle Team Leader in combat operations during Operation Enduring Freedom in Helmand Province, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan. While his team was engaged in close combat against determined Taliban insurgents behind a wall, SGT Wyckoff left his covered position in order to force the other team members to take cover. SGT Wyckoff then moved across a field in an attempt to flank the enemy. As he turned the corner of the wall, SGT Wyckoff was confronted by 2 insurgents. The closest man, only a few feet away, had a rifle; the 2nd man was about 30 feet away but had a rocket-propelled grenade aimed at his team. Choosing the safety of his team over his own, SGT Wyckoff killed the man with the RPG first and then shifted his aim to the closest man. SGT Wyckoff and the insurgent both fired at the same time and both died. SGT Wyckoff's selfless, courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Army Superior Unit Award
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant Charles E. Wyckoff, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 3d Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3d Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division. On 6 June 2007, Sergeant Wyckoff distinguished himself as a Rifle Team Leader in combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While engaged in close combat against determined enemy forces, Sergeant Wyckoff left his covered position without hesitation, to force the other members of his team to take cover. Sergeant Wyckoff revealed his position and fatally engaged two insurgents to save the lives of his platoon. Sergeant Wyckoff's bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division and the United States Army.

Burial

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19839355/charles-edward-wyckoff