Piper, Christopher Neal
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant Christopher Neal Piper, 43, of Marblehead, Massachusetts, was a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who died on June 16, 2005, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from wounds sustained in Afghanistan.
Their Story
Christopher Neal Piper was a Staff Sergeant serving with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was 43 years old and a native of Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Piper was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol near Orgun, in Afghanistan's Paktika province, on June 3, 2005. He was evacuated to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and subsequently to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries there on June 16, 2005.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. The mission's stated objectives were to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban regime from power. In 2005, the conflict was characterized by a resurgence of insurgent activity, including the widespread use of IEDs against coalition forces.
Piper was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Meritorious Service Medal. He was survived by his wife and two children. A memorial service was held at Fort Bragg.
Piper is memorialized on the Special Forces Memorial Wall at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg. His name is also inscribed on the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Christopher Piper was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
