Chance Phelps
| Chance Russell Phelps | |
|---|---|
Official photo
|
|
| Born |
July 14, 1984 Riverton, Wyoming |
| Died | April 9, 2004 (aged 19) Ramadi, Al Anbar, Iraq |
| Place of burial | Dubois, Wyoming |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2003–2004 |
| Rank | Lance Corporal (posthumous promotion) |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion 11th Marines |
| Battles/wars |
Iraq War * Battle of Ramadi * Operation Vigilant Resolve |
| Awards |
Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Medal Combat Action Ribbon National Defense Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
Chance Russell Phelps (July 14, 1984 – April 9, 2004) was a private first class – posthumously promoted to lance corporal – in the United States Marine Corps. He served with 2nd Platoon, Battery L, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (3/11), 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Phelps was killed in Iraq as the convoy he was escorting came under heavy fire. His story is the subject of an HBO movie, Taking Chance.
Phelps was born in Riverton, Wyoming, moved to Craig, Colorado as a young boy, and then again to Clifton, Colorado where he graduated from Palisade High School in 2003. He was motivated to join the Marines by the events of September 11, 2001. After attending recruit training at MCRD San Diego, he attended artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was finally assigned to 3/11, with which he deployed in February 2004.
Phelps was killed in action at approximately 13:30 on April 9, 2004 (Good Friday)at the age of 19, outside Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Phelps's unit was conducting convoy escort (including the assistant commander of the 1st Marine Division, Brigadier General John F. Kelly) when they came under heavy small arms fire, including rocket-propelled grenades. Despite being wounded, he refused to be evacuated, and instead manned his M240 machine gun (also reported to have been a M2 .50 caliber machine gun) to cover the evacuation of the rest of his convoy. Upon withdrawal, he sustained his fatal wound to the head.
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Wikipedia