Nathan Chapman

Who was Nathan Chapman?

Nathan Ross Chapman was a United States Army Sergeant First Class with the 1st Special Forces Group. He was the first American soldier to be killed in combat in the war in Afghanistan.

Born at Andrews Air Force Base where his father was stationed, Nathan Chapman grew up in a variety of towns across the United States, but listed his hometown as San Antonio, Texas when he joined the military at the age of 18. He'd never lived in San Antonio, but that is where his grandparents lived.

Assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group following the 11 September attacks, Chapman was directing troop movements from the back of a flatbed truck when he was shot. He did not die instantly from the attack, which also saw a CIA Paramilitary Operations Officer from Special Activities Division wounded. Although originally dubbed an "ambush", the military backed away from using the term.

He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

Chapman, his wife and two children lived in Puyallup, Washington.

Forward Operating Base Chapman was named after SFC Chapman.