The AUSA Monmouth Chapter is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved President, Colonel Samuel Fuoco, USA, Retired who died due to complications of COVID-19 on the morning of April 3, 2020. He was 71. After a distinguished career in the United States Army, COL Fuoco never stopped serving our Army with his volunteer efforts supporting our Active Duty Military, Veterans and their Families. COL Fuoco’s selfless service is an inspiration to all and a beacon of light especially during this Pandemic which took his life. We ask that you honor and remember his life with an act of kindness for the Veterans he loved so much.
Cards can be sent to his beloved family:
Frances Fuoco
1 Heath Street
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Colonel Samuel Fuoco, United States Army retired, was the President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Monmouth Best Chapter selected from 2016 through 2018. The Chapter consists of 22 Volunteer Board of Directors, 66 Community Partners and 1005 Individual Members in 33 states. Under COL Fuoco’s leadership the Monmouth Chapter was selected the best chapter among the 126 AUSA chapters worldwide for three consecutive years (2016 - 2018), a first in the over 35-year history of the organization. He has been recognized for excellence from County, State and National Leadership for his outstanding contributions to supporting Soldiers, Veterans and their families. Sam easily dedicated thousands of hours of his time every year to Community Service. As Chapter President, COL Fuoco was proud to execute the AUSA mission, “Voice for the Army – Support for the Soldier” for United States Army Active component, National Guard, Army Reserve, Government Civilians, Veterans, retirees, Wounded Warriors, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets and affiliate military organizations.
Mr Samuel Fuoco received his Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army upon graduating from Seattle University as a Distinguished Military Student in 1971. He went on to serve 37-1/2 years in the Active Army and the Army Reserve rising to the rank of full Colonel. Sam began his military career as an Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. In June 2006, now COL Fuoco again answered the call to duty serving a year long combat tour with the Multi-National Forces-Iraq in Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom during which he was awarded the Bronze Star. In 2007, he returned from overseas to where he began - Fort Bragg, NC. The Colonel was then assigned to Fort Wadsworth located on Staten Island, New York serving as the Executive Officer. In January 2008, he served as the Chief of Staff of the US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (USACAPOC) of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command until his retirement in January 2009. Following his military career, now COL Fuoco, USA retired, continued to serve as a GS-12 in the Department of the Army Civilian Service until his retirement in January 2011. Since 2016, Sam led the men and women of the AUSA Monmouth Chapter as its President. He is survived by his loving wife Frances, five adult children (two daughters and three sons) and nine grandchildren.
COL Fuoco’s military education included the Army Infantry Basic and Advance Courses along with the Civil Affairs Officer and Advance Courses. He is a graduate of the prestigious Army Airborne and Ranger Schools. As a senior officer, he was the honor graduate at the Army Command and General Staff College and completed the Air Force's Air War College and was privileged to attend the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies Senior Executive Seminar. He holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from Seattle University, a Master of Science Education from Monmouth College and a Master of Education Degree from Temple University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.
While serving in the US Military, COL Fuoco was the recipient of the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC); Army Commendation Medal with seven OLCs; Army Achievement Medal with three OLCs; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with two OLCs; National Defense Service Medal with two Stars; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War On Terrorism Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal with Gold Hourglass Device and Mobilization Device; Army Service Ribbon; Army Overseas Service Ribbon; Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon with Numeral 2; Expert Infantryman’s Badge; Parachutist, Senior Parachutist and Master Airborne Parachutist Badges and the Ranger Tab. For wartime action, he was awarded the Combat Action Badge. As a civilian, Sam received New Jersey’s Highest Military Honor, the Distinguished Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.
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