Nathan Ross Chapman
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
1st U.S. Soldier Killed in Operation Enduring Freedom

Nathan Ross Chapman was born on 23 April 1970 at Andrews Air Force Base (Temple Hills, MD) where his father was stationed. Nathan grew up in a variety of towns across the U.S., but listed his hometown as San Antonio, TX, when he joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18. He'd never lived in San Antonio, but that is where his grandparents lived.

Assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group following the 11 September attacks, Chapman was directing troop movements from the back of a flatbed truck near Khost, close to the Pakistan border, when he was shot. He did not die instantly from the attack, which also saw a CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer from Special Activities Division wounded. Although originally dubbed an "ambush," the military backed away from using the term. Chapman and the wounded CIA agent had been meeting with tribal leaders.

During his military career, Chapman participated in U.S. military endeavors in Panama, the Persian Gulf War, Haiti, and Afghanistan.

Chapman was the first U.S. soldier to be killed in combat in the war in Afghanistan.

Medals and Awards

Bronze Star Medal with Combat "Valor" Device
Purple Heart

Badges

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (Indicates Second Award)
Master Parachutist Badge

Honors

• Forward Operating Base Chapman was named after SFC Chapman.

• Chapman's name was added to a granite memorial of other members of the Special Forces who have died.

• A small cul-de-sac in front of the Special Forces Headquarters at Fort Lewis, WA, has been renamed "Chapman Circle" in his honor.

• A bronze memorial was erected in honor of Chapman at the Williamson County Veteran's Memorial in Sun City, TX, where his parents reside.

Personal

Chapman, his wife, Renae, and two children, Amanda and Brandon, lived in Puyallup, WA.

Death and Burial

Sergeant First Class Nathan Ross Chapman was killed in action on 4 January 2002 near Khost Afghanistan. He is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.