Eric Bourquin is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who completed three combat tours, one in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. On April 4, 2004, during his first deployment, Bourquin’s platoon was ambushed in Sadr City, Iraq. The deadly battle came to be known as “Black Sunday.” Bourquin’s life story is part of the National Geographic Channel’s global event miniseries “The Long Road Home,” about the Black Sunday battle, based on the New York Times-bestselling book by Martha Raddatz. Bourquin served as a military technical adviser for the series.
Born in Dallas, Bourquin grew up in central Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1998. He trained as an infantryman while completing basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Bourquin went on to serve in the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Infantry Division in various leadership positions. After retiring in 2013 after 15 years of service, Bourquin has devoted his time to his wife, Leslie, and their four children. He is also focusing on his own healing and helping other veterans heal, while at the same time enjoying new experiences outside of the military.
