Sergeant Major Christopher A. Nelms was born on December 21, 1971, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and graduated from Wynnewood High School in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, in 1990. Shortly after graduation he began a life of volunteerism and service that would become his true calling.
Chris enlisted in the Army as an infantryman on July 24, 1990. After initial training he was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served as an infantryman and scout squad leader. He then transferred to the Washington Army National Guard and, after completing Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course, was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). As a senior weapons sergeant he deployed to the Philippines in support of contingency operations and twice to Iraq in support of combat operations.
While serving in the Guard, Chris also built a career in civil service. On September 29, 1997, he became a firefighter with the Issaquah Fire Department, which later became Eastside Fire & Rescue. His easygoing, humble manner earned the respect of his fellow firefighters, and they knew he always had their backs. He brought the same care to the sick and injured on the worst days of their lives that he gave his own colleagues.
In November 2007 Chris returned to active duty and was assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command. Over the next eleven years he served at every level from team member to sergeant major and deployed six times across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. He always led from the front. His combat record includes two Silver Stars for gallantry, the Soldier’s Medal, the Legion of Merit, six Bronze Star Medals, one with “V” device, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device. The Soldier’s Medal recognized his heroism in rescuing two soldiers from a burning building in Afghanistan in October 2013. He wore the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Special Operations Diver Badge.
On June 27, 2018, Chris was seriously injured during a military free-fall training jump at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport in North Carolina when his parachute failed to open fully. He died on July 1, 2018, in Durham, North Carolina, with his family and loved ones by his side. He was 46. A colleague said that he was irreplaceable and that it would be a decade before anyone could fill a role with his experience and training.
Chris married the love of his life, Stephanie, on July 13, 1995, in Seattle, and together they raised two children, Haley and Nolan. He was a loving and devoted husband and father who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures with his family. He is also survived by his parents, Nolan and Mary Nelms and Sheila and Randy Lowman, and by his sisters and brothers. His family wrote that he lived life boldly and fearlessly, with integrity and courage rooted deep in his faith. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
Following a military training accident in North Carolina, SGM Nelms passed away Sunday, July 1, 2018, with his family and loved ones by his side.
Memorial Valor Foundation
Sources
- Pauls Valley Daily Democrat: Christopher A. Nelms obituary
- Army Times: Army sergeant major dies during free-fall parachute training (Aug. 3, 2018)
- Military Times Hall of Valor: Christopher Nelms
- WPDE: Paratrooper dies after military training accident in Laurinburg
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Chris Nelms bio
