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Corpsman from Colorado is killed in action in Iraq

Tillie Fong, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 7, 2006 at midnight

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A Colorado sailor was killed in Iraq on Monday. Christopher A. Anderson, 24, of Longmont died during military action in Anbar province.

He was a Navy corpsman who was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Calls to the family and to the Navy were not returned Wednesday.

However, Rick Anderson, Christopher's father and a career Navy SEAL, told CBS 4 News that his son was "serving his community, serving his country and serving his family" at the time of his death, and that his son had been approved to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Christopher Anderson joined the Navy on Aug. 9, 2005, and had reported to his unit in May of this year, according to his father.

Brian Van Ness, 49, a next-door neighbor, recalled that Anderson would mow the lawn for neighbors and help out with other chores.

"He always was getting involved with helping neighbors out," Van Ness said.

Van Ness said Christopher had wanted to join the Navy right after the tragedy of Sept. 11.

"He was real excited to join the military but didn't get in right then," he said.

Christopher worked in construction before he finally enlisted last year. Van Ness said the neighborhood threw a going-away party for Christopher when he was about to leave for boot camp last year.

"The way he described it - he was going to be the head of a medical group and he was pretty proud of himself for landing that," he said.

Van Ness said he didn't have any contact with Christopher after the party, but he said Christopher knew full well the dangers of military service.

"He was a real bright kid - he knew what he was getting into," he said. "He wouldn't jump into anything."

Rick Anderson told CBS4 that Christopher was the type of person who wanted to be in middle of the action and not stay back.

A graduate of Longmont High School in 2000, Christopher Anderson was a member of the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, according to John Poynton, spokesman for the St. Vrain Valley School District.

"The students and staff of Longmont High School and the entire district send our heartfelt condolences to the Anderson family," Poynton said. "He died serving his nation and we're proud of him."