SSG Christopher Chapman

21 February 1991, Saudi Arabia

160th SOAR

Staff Sergeant Christopher Chapman of Charlotte, North Carolina, died on 21 February 1991 while supporting Operation DESERT STORM.

Chapman enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in 1984. During his initial assignment with the 508th Infantry Regiment (Airborne), he earned the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and completed the Army Sniper School. In 1985, he attended the UH-60 Tactical Helicopter Repair Course at Fort Eustis, Virginia, after which he served in 227th Aviation Regiment in Hanau, Germany, before volunteering for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 1989.

On 21 February 1991, SSG Chapman was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment when his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter encountered a sandstorm in northwestern Saudi Arabia during a medical evacuation mission. The ensuing crash killed all onboard.