DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sergeant Christopher M. Falkel, 22, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, died on August 8, 2005, in Deh Afghan, Afghanistan, when his unit was conducting combat operations and was engaged by enemy forces using small arms fire.  Falkel was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

             For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.

He was a Special Forces weapons Sergeant assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Falkel died during combat operations near Deh Afghan, Afghanistan, August 8, 2005 while he was deployed in
 support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
 
His parents, Jeffery and Dianne Falkel, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, survive him.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab.

He joined the Army in October 2001 as an infantryman with his ultimate goal being a Special Forces Soldier. He attended basic training, advanced individual training and basic airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In May 2002, he moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was assigned to the 1st Special Warfare Training Group, where he began training to become a Special Forces weapons sergeant. Falkel attended the Special Forces Arabic Language Course and the Special Forces Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in June 2003. Upon graduation, Falkel was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was deployed overseas in June 2005 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

"When you think of a Special Forces soldier, that was Chris."

Dianne Falkel said the family did not wish to comment beyond this statement: "Two parents could not be more proud of their son. He was very, very special and dedicated and considered it an honor to serve his country."
 
"Chris took part in air assault raids deep in enemy territory," said Gant, who was one of Falkel's unit commanders.

 "The details have not been released, but Chris went down in a battle that will make the annals of Special Forces history."
 
As rain pounded relentlessly Wednesday afternoon, military personnel and friends visited Soldiers arrive for the memorial service. Chris died doing what he loved the most, with the men he loved the most and the men who loved him dearly, said Captain Jim Gant. Christopher Falkel's family, friends and fellow soldiers more than 100 people gathered Tuesday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial to honor the Green Beret from Highlands Ranch.

Staff Sergeant Christopher M. Falkel, 22, died Monday when his unit came under small-arms fire while conducting combat operations in the Deh Afghan district of Zabul province, a military source said.

Falkel, a 2001 graduate of ThunderRidge High School, was deployed to Afghanistan in June. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

"Even as a young child, he liked to play with G.I. Joes, and the Army was something he always wanted to do," said Matt Sahagun, Falkel's best friend and a U.S. Marine. "Chris was fearless, and he'd do anything, whether it was climbing a rock face or jumping tall buildings."

Military officials declined to say what kind of mission Falkel was on. However, nearly four years after U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, U.S. troops continue to search for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his followers who are believed to be hiding along Afghanistan's rugged mountain border with Pakistan.

"There are certainly operational security concerns in releasing more information," said Major Elizabeth Robbins, a military spokeswoman in Washington, D.C.

As of Wednesday, 220 U.S. soldiers have been killed in action in Afghanistan, while 1,839 members of the U.S. military have died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion, according to military statements.

Falkel joined the Army in October 2001 shortly after graduating from high school. He completed basic training at Fort Benning, Georigia, and rose rapidly through the ranks. He was selected in 2002 to undergo special-forces training at Fort Bragg, according to the Army and friends.

Falkel learned Arabic during his training, which he completed in June 2003. He had received a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and several other medals, the military said.

Falkel is the second Colorado serviceman to be killed in Afghanistan in the past six weeks.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz, 25, of Littleton, a Navy SEAL, was killed June 28. He was part of a four-man team searching for a major al- Qaeda figure when they were attacked. Dietz and two other SEALs were killed. The fourth soldier was rescued.

When news reports surfaced about a special-forces soldier from Colorado being killed in Afghanistan, some friends and family feared it might be Falkel, Sahagun said. They soon learned it was Dietz.

"I honestly never worried about (Falkel)," Sahagun said. "Chris was a warrior. He knew he had a job to do. ... I knew that he was good at doing his job and keeping all of us safe."

Falkel's family was notified of his death Tuesday. An American flag hung on their front door Wednesday as a military officer met with his mother. The family declined to comment, but neighbors and friends described Falkel as an "all-American kid."

Falkel was born in Ohio but was raised in Colorado since elementary school, friends said.

Falkel kept a tight group of five friends. Each joined the Marines except for Falkel, who chose to follow in his father's footsteps in the Army.

"He was just a real fresh- faced, sweet young man," long- time neighbor Judy Maillis said of Falkel. "It's so sad that this had to happen to such a nice family."

 Photo Courtesy of Holly, October 2005