Sergeant Edward G. Palacio was born on 23 August 1969 in Sacramento, California. He graduated from Sacramento High School and volunteered for service in the U.S. Army in June 1989. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by Advanced Individual Training in the Military Occupational Specialty 93P, Flight Operations Specialist at Fort Rucker, Alabama. His first assignment was to Seoul, Korea, where he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 17th Aviation Brigade where he served for 27 months as a Flight Operations Specialist.

In September 1990, SGT Palacio was assigned to the United States Southern Command, Republic of Panama, where he served as a Flight Operations Specialist for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment. In 1993, SGT Palacio volunteered for duty with the 617th Special Operations Aviation Detachment (Airborne), which was later re-designated as Delta Company, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

SGT Palacio was a graduate of the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course, Individual Terrorism Awareness Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) Course, Enlisted Special Operations Aviation Qualification Course and the Basic Parachutist Course.

SGT Palacio's awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Parachutist Badge, and Expert Rifleman Badge.

SGT Palacio died on 4 March 1997 during service with Delta Company at Fort Kobbe, Panama. He is survived by his mother, Veronica. He is laid to rest in Sacramento, California, at St. Mary’s Cemetery and Mausoleum.