Tuesday, January 3, 2012

First Soldier Killed in Afghanistan


Tenth Anniversary Remembered

It is sometimes difficult to grasp how quickly time passes and in some cases how soon people forget, and yet his family, friends and Brothers in Arms from the US Army 1st Special Forces Group have not forgotten and still remember SFC Nate Chapman on this tenth anniversary of his death on January 4, 2002. 

"SFC Nate Chapman has the single unwanted distinction of being the first American Soldier killed by enemy action in Afghanistan."

SFC Nate Chapman has the single unwanted distinction of being the first American Soldier killed by enemy action in Afghanistan.  SFC Chapman, a Green Beret and member of ODA-194 in the 3rd Battalion 1st Special Forces Group out of Fort Lewis Washington was serving on his third combat tour, his two previous combat tours having been in Panama and Desert Storm.

On January 4, 2002, Nate Chapman was part of a U.S. team operating near the town of Khost, a few miles from the Pakistan border. The Green Berets, in some cases working with CIA officers, had been combing the region on intelligence missions with Afghan fighters. They searched caves, bunkers, gathered weapons and interrogated captured Taliban and al-Qaida fighters.
Chapman and a CIA officer were working with local Afghan leaders to gain information on the whereabouts of al-Qaida members. After leaving a meeting with the Afghans, the Americans were ambushed by small-arms and light-machine-gun fire. Both Chapman and the CIA Officer were shot during the firefight and evacuated, however Chapman died shortly after from his wounds.   

Nate Chapman was laid to rest at Mount Tahoma Cemetery in Kent Washington. The below link has additional information about Nate Chapman.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

1st Group Soldiers are the finest individuals I have had the pleasure to work and to know them as my friends. I remember the day Nate was killed as it was a sad day for the "Green Berets" here in Okinawa who knew him. May you rest in peace Nate for you will never be forgotten...I promise you that!

Ronnie Chisum

pansycadorette said...

Casino Nightlife: Las Vegas, NV | MapYRO
Check out the mapYRO, the top rated 강원도 출장마사지 entertainment destination 제주 출장샵 in Las Vegas, NV. 시흥 출장샵 서귀포 출장안마 The Wynn Hotel, 경기도 출장안마 which is owned and operated by Wynn Las Vegas, opened on May