SALTVILLE, VA, USA U.S. Army SSG, COMPANY E, 64TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION, 3 BCT, FORT CARSON, CO MOSUL, IRAQ 02/02/2008
Staff Sergeant Chad A Barrett was an 11-year Army veteran who was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. He was a huge University of Tennessee fan and kept a collection of Vols memorabilia in his home office. He also loved racing, boating, fishing and camping.
Staff Sgt. Chad A. Barrett, 35, of Saltville, Va., died of heart failure on Feb. 2, 2008, in Mosul, Iraq. He was assigned to the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
“He was a good old country boy who never met a stranger,” said his mother, Linda Helton. “in school he was a joker and prankster who knew how to snow his teachers.”
Barrett joined the Army in 1996, a decision inspired by his deep admiration for his grandfather, uncles and cousins, all of whom served in the military.
Barrett was always working on car stereo systems. His mother said he and his Army buddies loved going to karaoke bars to sing and cut up. Lately he focused a lot on becoming an espert marksman and learning all the military’s weaponry and how it worked.
“Chad also loved the med he led and always tried to remember what life as a private was like,” said Helton. “He was good at making everyone feel comfortable.”
He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and two sons, Guston and Zachary.