Sgt. 1st Class Christopher J. Speer, 28, of Pinehurst, N.C., died Aug. 6, 2002.
Born in Denver, Colo., Sgt. Speer was a special forces medic who had served his country for more than a decade. He had suffered a head injury during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and had survived for more than one week.
Chris and Tabitha Hansen were married Oct. 4. 1997. in Kalkaska and made their home in Pinehurst.
He enlisted in the United States Army on July 8, 1992. He attended basic training and the medical specialist course, and was then assigned to the United States Army Hospital at Carlisle Barracks, Penn.
In 1994, Sgt. Speer attended the special operations medical course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He then completed the French language course at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg. N. C. He began his career as a special operations medic with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces, Group (Airborne), at Fort Bragg. Sgt. Speer joined his present unit on June 1, 2000, and served as a Special Operations Medical Noncommissioned Officer (NCO).
Sgt. Speer's military education included the medical specialist course, the air assault course, the basic airborne course, the primary leadership development course, the special forces assessment and selection course, the special forces diving medical technician course, the scuba course, the special forces medical course, the basic noncommissioned officer course, the French language course, the special forces combat diver supervisor course, the operation and emergency medical skills course, the Department of Defense high risk survival course, and the military freefall course.
His awards and decorations include the Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal (Third Award), National Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral Two, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Forces Tab, Scuba Badge, and the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge.
He is survived by his wife Tabitha (originally from Kalkaska), daughter Taryn, and son Tanner. all of Pinenurst, N.C.: his mother and two brothers.
Funeral services were held in Pinehurst, N.C., on Aug. 13, 2002.
