CWO4 Fucuals was born in Los Angeles, California. In 1975, after graduating from John Muir High School in Pasadena, California, Mr. Fucuals enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of Recruit Training and the Basic Course of Music at the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia he served a tuba and electric bass player with the First Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Iwakuni, Japan and then Second Marine Division Band, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In 1980, he returned to the Armed Forces School of Music and completed the Intermediate Course of Music. Mr. Fucuals remained at the School of Music and served on the faculty as an electric bass instructor.
With his sights set on pursuing a college degree, he was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps and began working on an Associates Degree from American River College, California. Mr. Fucuals re-enlisted into the Marine Corps after completing his degree and was assigned to the III Marine Amphibious Force Band in Okinawa, Japan. Upon returning from Japan he returned to the Armed Forces School of Music as a student in the Enlisted Band Leader Course. After graduating from this Course, he was stationed with the Marine Corps Combat Development Command Band, Quantico, Virginia. In 1989, he was selected to be a Band Officer and was assigned to the Second Marine Division Band, Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. Mr. Fucuals conducted the 2nd Marine Division Band for members of England's Royal family at the 100th Annual Royal Tournament and served as Security Officer when the Band deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then was assigned to the III MEF Band where he conducted the band in New Zealand, Australia and Russia; and also at the 50th Anniversary Ceremonies of the Pacific Victories of WWII.
CWO4 Fucuals took over as Band Officer of the Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MAGCC) Band, Twenty-nine Palms, and California in 1996. While with the MAFCC Band he conducted the Band for numerous performances including a performance at the Music Educators National Conference in Phoenix, Arizona in 1997. Mr. Fucuals transferred in November 1998, to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (3rd MAW), Miramar, California. He conducted the 3rd MAW Band on its two Southwest Asia Goodwill Tours in1999 and 2000. While on the tour Mr. Fucuals conducted the Band in front of many large audiences that included Dignitaries and Royal Family member's of Persian Gulf Region Counties. Mr. Fucuals completed his Masters Degree in Business Management at National University in May 2000. He was promoted to his current rank, Chief Warrant Officer 4, on August 1, 2000.
CWO4 Fucuals' awards and decorations include the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, both the Navy Unit Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbons. Also, the Good Conduct Medal with two stars; the National Defense Medal; the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal with two stars; the Humanitarian Service Medal; and the Sea Service Deployment with four stars; the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait).
