Professional Soldiers ® - SSG Christian Longsworth

SSG Chris Longsworth, or "Chico" as we called him on the team, was the newest member of our company. One late night I was in our operations center and I got an e-mail on our secured net telling me that a new arrival was on his way and that he wanted to go to our hottest and most contested firebase. I saw four of our men die in that same area of operations just about two months prior to this particular night, so I knew the dangers of that place. It didn't surprise me that a Special Forces soldier would want to go to where the action is. But, this guy was new. I didn't know much about him.

It turns out that his best friend was in that same firebase. As I had fought alongside his best friend in a previous firefight, I had a lot of respect for him and his opinion. The next day "Chico's" best friend calls me and tells me that this new guy wanted to go to his firebase and that he wanted me to do whatever I could to get him up there. He assured me that this guy was a quality soldier and would be an asset. So, I call our Sergeant Major and make the request. The assignment was pretty much a sure thing.

"Chico" showed up on a re-supply flight from the US. He had a baby face and a lot of enthusiasm. I remember the next day that he was sitting behind our company liaison’s desk waiting for word of when he will get a chance to fly to his new firebase. I asked him: "You know that you want to go to a place where firefights have occurred almost every week? Are you ready for that?" He looks up, and without waiting two seconds says to me simply, "Yep, that's what I want." Typical Special Forces mentality - we move to the sound of guns.

"Chico" died fighting. At the time he left us, he was manning his .50 cal machine gun while engaged in a very vicious firefight. He exhibited no fear. He did not falter. "Chico" was a warrior. Like I always do when our company looses a man, I met his remains when they got down to our main base here. I took a good look at his face and recalled his vivid eyes and smile when he told me he wanted to go to where the sounds of the guns were. “De Oppresso Liber”