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American Morning

Funeral for First American Soldier to Die by Hostile Fire Will Take Place Today

Aired January 11, 2002 - 09:07   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: We are going to turn now to the war, the funeral, for the first American soldier to die by hostile fire, sergeant first class Nathan Chapman. That will take place today in Fort Lewis, Washington.

CNN's James Hattori attended the fallen hero's memorial.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a gathering no military commander looks forward to, mourning a fallen soldier.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here today to remember and memorialize sergeant first class Nathan Chapman.

Nathan Chapman heard the very call no fewer than five times in his military career. And every time, without a second's hesitation he said, "Here I am. Send me."

HATTORI: Members of the elite first special forces group at Fort Lewis, Washington gathered to remember sergeant first class Nathan Ross Chapman who was killed January 4th in Khost, Afghanistan after a meeting with tribal leaders.

Chapman's wife, Renae (ph), was given several medals awarded posthumously to her husband, including a bronze star for valor. Chapman's two small children received teddy bears.

And Chapman's name was etched onto a memorial stone, the 28th green beret from this unit to have given his life in service of his country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sergeant first class Chapman. Sergeant first class Nathan Chapman. Sergeant first class Nathan R. Chapman.

HATTORI: Then a traditional roll call for a fallen soldier. The silence acknowledged by Chapman's comrades as fulfillment of the green beret slogan-their mission: de opresso liber, to free the oppressed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HATTORI: Chapman volunteered to go to Afghanistan, and he knew it was very risky duty. He told his wife before he left, there was a 50/50 chance he wouldn't return. Paula, the funeral ceremonies will take place at Fort Washington later this morning to be followed by a burial at Tacoma National Cemetery.

ZAHN: James, could you remind all of us of what Mr. Chapman's duties were when he was in Afghanistan?

HATTORI: He was apparently with a CIA agent at the time of his death, interviewing some tribal leaders, trying to find out the whereabouts of Al Qaeda leaders to pursue them obviously. The initial reports are that he might have died at the hands of 14-year-old gunmen, and that they were ambushed. The Pentagon later backed off and said still investigating as to what exactly prompted the attack. A CIA agent was wounded, also -- Paula.

ZAHN: As you might remember, James, a couple of days ago, we aired some of what his wife had to say about him, as a father and as a committed patriot. And, boy, was she a tower of strength at the memorial service.

HATTORI: Very moving.

ZAHN: Thanks, James.

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