HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO, USA
U.S. Army
SSG, COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 3D SFG (AIRBORNE) (TF CJSOTF-A) FORT BRAGG, NC
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN 08/08/2005
Chris was born on 24 September, 1982 in Boston, MA. He lived in Athens, Ohio from 1984 – 1990, when we moved to Littleton, Colorado. Chris attended Northridge Elementary School, Cresthill Middle School, and graduated from ThunderRidge High School in 2001.
On 25 October, 2001, Chris enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA for his Basic Training and his Advanced Infantry Training. He graduated AIT in March, 2002. He then attended Airborne School at Ft. Benning, before being assigned to Ft. Bragg, NC where was a member of the fourth class of the Special Operations Preparatory Course. In June 2002, he completed Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and was assigned to the Special Forces Qualification Course and graduated 21 May, 2003. After finishing his Arabic Language course and SERE training, he was assigned to Operational Detachment –Alpha 316, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) as a Weapons Sergeant (18B). He was promoted to Staff Sergeant (SSG) on 1 November, 2004. His schooling in Special Forces included Blackwater Combat Marksmanship Course, Gryphon Group Force Protection Course, Mid-South Self Defense Institute, SFARTAETC, and his favorite course, the one he was most proud of, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course.
His first overseas deployment was in February, 2004 to Gereshk, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His second deployment was also to Afghanistan in June, 2005 and he was killed in action during the fifth of seven contacts in the 54 hour Battle of Mari Ghar in Afghanistan on 8 August, 2005 while saving the lives of his 10 teammates and 16 members of the Afghan National Army that were assigned to his team. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 22 August, 2005.
SSG Christopher M. Falkel’s awards include the Silver Star (the Narrative for his Silver Star is attached), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Special Forces Tab.