Fallen Sailor Remembered In Hometown

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lowell Whitman, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (NNS) -- More than 200 friends, family and fellow service members gathered at White Oak High School, Aug. 20, to remember Special Warfare Operator 1st Class (SEAL) Christopher Campbell.

Campbell was one of 30 U.S. service members killed when a coalition CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, Aug. 6.

American flags were placed along the entrance to the school and members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group wishing to show respect for members of the armed forces, lined the sidewalk leading to the schools auditorium. A table at the entrance held photographs of Campbell, a guestbook for condolences, and a "shadowbox" containing medals and other decorations that chronicled his Navy career.

At the conclusion of ceremonial colors, Campbell's brother, Le, spoke at the service.

"My brother is a hero, for all of us," he said. "Chris is not the kind of man that would ever quit. He would never back down. He lived his life to the fullest [and] never had any regrets."

Le was apt to remember his brother's patriotism. Recalling time spent together during one of Chris' visit to Jacksonville, Le remembered seeing Chris glancing up at an American flag.

"We went by that flag and he just kind of looked up and grinned," Le said, "he never took it for granted. Never."

Also speaking at the service was Sean Harperberger, who attended boot camp and service school with Campbell and was a former SEAL teammate of his.

"In my opinion [Campbell's] strongest passion was for that of helping others. He was always, and I mean always more worried about everyone else than he was of himself," said Harperberger.

Harperberger recalled a time during SEAL training when Campbell, a more experienced swimmer, volunteered to be his swim buddy.

"[Campbell] took himself from being the number one swim pair in all of SEAL training to the absolute worst and from that moment I realized what an amazing guy he was, that he'd be a close friend forever."

Childhood friends of Campbell's spoke following Haperberger and a slideshow highlighting Campbell's life was presented. The ceremony concluded with the playing of "Taps."

Campbell is survived by his wife Angelina; daughter Samantha; parents, and brother, Le. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery later this month.

Campbell, 36, joined the Navy in 1997 and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL school in Coronado, Calif. In February 1998. He then reported to a West Coast based SEAL team until 2004, where he earned his SEAL qualification. During his more than 13 years as a Navy SEAL, Campbell served at three separate commands, becoming a distinguished combat veteran and earning a number of decorations including the Bronze Star with "V' device for valor.

Campbell requested that for anyone interested in making donations in his honor to do so to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or donations can be made online at https://support.woundedwarrioproject.org/.