Colonel Patrick J. Dagon assumed command of Europe District for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on June 30, 2020. Europe District provides engineering, construction management, and general services in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe, Africa, and Israel, continuing the legacy of U.S. Army engineer support in Europe since 1945. Headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, Europe District and its nearly 500 military, civilian, and contracted employees execute a program in excess of $7.6 billion with projects in 44 countries. Colonel Dagon received a commission as a Second Lieutenant from the United States Military Academy in 1996.
His initial assignments were as a Combat Engineer Platoon Leader, Assistant Task Force Engineer, and Company Executive Officer in the 16th Engineer Battalion in Giessen, Germany. While a Platoon Leader, he deployed to Bosnia in support of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR) in 1997. He also served as the Officer in Charge of the Mine Action Center for the Multi-National Division (North).
After the Engineer Captain’s Career Course, Colonel Dagon was assigned to the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion. He deployed to Kuwait from May to November 2001 where he served as the Coalition Joint Task Force–Kuwait (CJTF-KU) C7. He commanded the 18th Engineer Company, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and deployed from November 2003 to July 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following graduate school at the University of Washington, he served in the Baltimore District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. From January 2010 to June 2011, he was assigned as a Stability Transition Team member in the 4/3 Advise and Assist Brigade (AAB) during a deployment to Anbar Province, Iraq. He then served as the Deputy Commander, Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Colonel Dagon served as Chief of Construction with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base from 2013 to 2014. He commanded the Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from June 2014 to May 2016. As the District Commander, he led a civilian and military workforce of nearly 400 personnel in executing the diverse mission of providing military construction, civil works, and interagency support throughout New Mexico, southern Colorado, and far west Texas. After command, he served as the Military Assistant for the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment).
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Public Policy Administration from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, and a Master of Science in Construction Management from the University of Washington. Colonel Dagon is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic and Captain’s Career Courses, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff School, and the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. Colonel Dagon’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Army Superior Unit Award. He has also earned the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges.