Sgt. Maj. Christopher Nelms killed in training accident
Reported by Yahoo News:
U.S. Army Special Operations Command, which exercises administrative control of Delta Force, did not announce Nelms’s death, but confirmed it when contacted by Yahoo News. “One service member died as a result of a free-fall training incident on June 27, 2018, in Laurinburg, N.C.,” said Lt. Col. Robert Bockholt, the command spokesman, in an email response to questions from Yahoo News. Nelms “received initial medical treatment for his injuries but unfortunately died at the hospital.”
Nelms was twice awarded the Silver Star, the military’s third-highest award for valor, during a 28-year Army career that he began as an infantryman before moving to the Army National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group. He returned to active duty in 2008 and was selected for Delta, with whom he deployed six times to Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Their whole story is HERE and the Army Times Article is HERE
Category: Politics
Another tragic example of how training for war can often be just as dangerous as war itself.
Rest easy, Sergeant Major.
very true.
Which is one of many reasons to why those who served, but who didn’t deploy, get a coveted school slot, served in a specific unit, etc., should still be proud of the fact that they served. They signed the dotted line, and did the training needed to stand between America’s enemies and their countrymen. As the above article shows, living through the preparation phase isn’t guaranteed.
thebesig commented:
“Which is one of many reasons to why those who served, but who didn’t deploy, get a coveted school slot, served in a specific unit, etc., should still be proud of the fact that they served.”
Our Dave Hardin did an excellent piece on this topic in June 2017:
https://valorguardians.com/blog/?p=73058
Commercial still makes my eyes water…
Pat, I somehow missed that post and extraordinary video – thank you for the re-post. It made my day with a few tears to boot.
When she said her dad, “had a sense of guilt” I am sure that many of us here have had that, overwhelming sense of guilt at one time or another.
Once again, Pat, thank you! And thanks to Dave as well.
Just BEAUTIFUL!
TAH is in good hands.
You are so welcome, Llright47!
Always thought Dave’s post and the Budweiser commercial was awesome and as you can see, left an imprint in my memory cells.
You are right that others at one time had that “sense of guilt”. It is refreshing when one finally meets another person who has walked in their shoes, i.e. “been there, done that”.
😊
Pat…enjoy the rest of your Sunday – since watching that video mine is a little better.
In Germany when I served in the 509th, we had a freak accident fatality on a training jump. The subject soldier was strangled to death on the suspension lines of a cargo chute that malfunctioned and failed to disconnect on impact. The excessive wind on the DZ drug the jumper through the cargo chute’s suspension lines before he could collapse his chute.
thebesig:
Shack. Well said. Very well said indeed.
There’s one frequent commenter here at TAH (and we all know who I’m talking about) who I hope is paying close attention to your wise words and as a result will put a stop to his condescending, disrespectful antagonism towards his fellow veterans who may have different service experiences than his own.
No one’s military service is any more significant or important than anyone else’s, regardless of branch of service, MOS or when/where they served.
Roger that.
This is very sad. I know these things happen, but it doesn’t lessen the loss.
My sympathies to his family.
That’s what a soldiers soldier looks like. RIP Sgt. Maj. Condolences to the family,
The Sgt. Maj. still looks about 18 in that picture as an E-9. A long career of Soldiering was good to him. Rest In Peace Sergeant Major.
Fair winds and following seas, Sgt. Maj. Nelms.
Rest in Peace.
Rest in peace, SGM Nelms. May God comfort your family, friends, and professional colleagues.
As a member of Delta, SGM Nelms was already a rarity. But I certainly wonder how many other Delta soldiers have an ARCOTR (Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon)? That’s gotta be pretty damn uncommon among that group.
TWO Silver Stars, SIX Bronze Stars, etc.
Badassery defined.
Rest easy, Sergeant Major.
SGM Nelms was also a former Firefighter in Washington State:
https://m.facebook.com/eastsidefirerescue/posts/1837881586234319
Rest In Peace, SGM. Salute.
Rest in peace Brother. God be with your family.
RIP
The epitome of Badass, R.I.P. Sergeant Major.
RIP, SGM Christopher Nelms.
He was alive to be transported to a hospital 50 miles away and then to another. One source said he was fighting all the way down. There have been far too many of these free-fall accidents in recent years, so much so that they were suspended several years ago to investigate why the number had spiked. No common-thread conclusion was found. I just think that the real answer is that none has yet to be found but will. The nation has lost another magnificent soldier. RIP.
A true warrior who did it all in his short but full life. R.I.P., SGM Nelms, the SF brotherhood will miss you.
RIP, Brother. I am humbled by your sacrifice for this nation. You are a true warrior.
Nelms’ awards and decorations include two Silver Stars, the Soldier’s Medal, six Bronze Star medals, one with the V device, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with V device, two Army Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal with C device, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, and the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star.
“He also had 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.
Nelms was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit.”
Special Forces AND Delta Force also…….one helluva soldier!
Rest in peace SGM Nelms.
My heartfelt prayers & thoughts go out to his family.
A quick look at his badges tell me he was a Real Deal Sky God.
Rest easy, Sir. your duty and tactical experience will not be easily replaced, but we will do our best. Watch over us from on high.
Rest well, SGM.
Damn. A Soldier’s Soldier indeed. God Speed and Rest easy Sergeant Major.