BENNETT, CO, US
U. S. Marine Corps
LCPL, 2D BN 8TH MAR, (RCT-1, I MEF FWD), 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
03/17/2011, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Marine Lance Corporal Christopher “Steele” Meis was a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was deployed to Afghanistan with Operation Enduring Freedom in January and had just been promoted to lance corporal on March 1, less than three weeks before he was killed on March 17, 2011. He and his unit were on a mission in Helmand province when they came under fire.
“Stele” is remembered as a standup guy who knew he wanted to be a Marine since the eighth grade. He was funny, considerate, and a gentleman. He loved his family; and his strong love of both family and country defined him. He was a Marine who wanted so badly to fight for his country wherever his country needed him. He felt that the Marines were the best and hardest branch to get into. And he felt that the Marines were the best of the best. It was clear that he wanted to belong to “The few, the proud, the Marines.” He told family that he loved being a Marine and intended to re-enlist and make a career in the Marines. He wanted to make a difference
Meis is survived by his mother; his father, and a brother. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.