Christopher G. Smith
Staff Sergeant, United States Army
September 1, 1980 – December 24, 2008
Age – 28
Grand Rapids, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO
Died of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover
When Staff Sgt. Christopher Smith’s Humvee flipped over into a chilly Baghdad canal after a bridge gave way underneath it, fellow soldiers jumped in to help and refused to leave the water until Smith was out. Five men in Smith’s squadron were treated for hypothermia in the unsuccessful effort to save his life and two other soldiers. They disobeyed orders to get out of the water.
Their motivation was simple, an Army captain later told Smith’s father when he called the family’s home. “The reason for that was they loved (Smith),” Virgil Smith said, recounting the captain’s words and taking solace. “Those men were willing to lay down their lives until your son got out.” When Smith’s captain called, he told how the soldier had become an important leader with the company, essentially running the company when the captain wasn’t there. He said Chris ran his squadron well and led his platoon well.”
Christopher Glenn Smith was born in Holland and his family lived in the Fennville area in the early 1980s, then moved to Minnesota, back to West Michigan and eventually to Walled Lake near Detroit as his father served various churches. He went to high school at Wixom Christian School through most of his junior year, then moved to Olivet and graduated from Family Altar Christian School in Battle Creek in 1999.
Christopher Smith took two years of classes at Kellogg Community College, studying for a possible sports medicine career and playing soccer there, before enlisting in the Army in May 2001. Virgil Smith knew his son was looking for “something big and exciting” to do with his life, but said he never anticipated him joining the Army.
“Chris was such his own man in that way,” Virgil Smith said. “He was very thoughtful in what he would do and once he made a decision, that was it.”
The Army had become a career for Smith, who was taking leadership and management class in the Army and looking to advance. He was hoping to move up to the Sergeant First Class rank soon and eventually become a warrant officer.
Smith was in his second re-up with the Army and, as of September, his second tour in Iraq. The first ended in February 2006. He was deployed with “Bulldog” company, his father said. “Chris was a very patriotic young man. He really believed they were making a difference over there.”
In the U.S., he was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado and bought a home there about three years ago. Smith initially was due home for Christmas, but came back during Thanksgiving instead after trading leave time with another soldier who needed more time to earn travel money for the trip.
He was remembered by fellow soldiers with the following:
It will be 3 years tomorrow and I still miss him everyday. I will never forget you, you always made me laugh no matter what mood I was in. I’ll never forget when I had a house party and you started dancing to Michael Jacksons thriller best night ever. thanks bro we love and miss you everyday. As I look at my memory bracelet I know I will never forget you and you will always be with me and in my heart.
Reuben Hernandez, SSG
Smitty – you were always a fine Soldier, and you’ll remain in the hearts of those you touched with your actions – As Murt once said: It was the little things you did for the people that made you such an example of compassion and dedication – As always you did your duty, and there is no measure of gratitude that this country may give to repay for your sacrifice. Now rest in peace, and God bless you and your family.
Ed Larumbe MAJ, USA
SSG Smith was once a soldier of mine. We were stationed together at FT. Sill. Me and my wife have fond memories of him. He was a great guy to be around and was a great friend. Came to our wedding and spent numerous times raiding my kitchen and watching football in our apartment. We are all deeply saddened to hear about his passing. There are no words that can express our sorrow. I can only say that I was a lucky guy to have know him and say that he was a friend. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family.
Ryan Barkey