Captain Chris Pate was a young man with an old soul. He was a student of religions, a mountain climber, a triathlete, and a polyglot. He paddled down the Amazon River while learning Spanish, studied in Germany, and was even learning Arabic in Iraq. He embraced the diversity of the world, always seeking new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow.
As a young man, he spent time at a Buddhist monastery and then went fishing with his dad in Alaska. He was a true renaissance man, someone who valued knowledge and adventure in equal measure. Chris didn’t fit into any mold; he forged his own path, choosing to live life on his terms.
His friends remember his competitive spirit, whether it was beating competitors in triathlons or being punctual to a fishing trip at 5 a.m., coffee in hand. Chris had an insatiable curiosity that took him on esoteric journeys through books about Eastern religions, Norse mythology, and other diverse topics, far from the stereotypes of an average Marine.
Chris’s life journey was a testament to his diverse interests and unwavering determination. He was a rock climber, scuba diver, skier, white-water kayaker, and a talented athlete. His natural Northwest spirit was evident in his love for outdoor adventures.
After graduating from Oregon Episcopal School, he pursued higher education, earning a business degree with a specialty in international business from the University of Puget Sound. He commissioned into the Marine Corps as a Ground Intelligence Officer. He initially served as the targeting officer for the 3d Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan and deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as their reconnaissance and surveillance coordinator.
He took orders to 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines and deployed to Okinawa, Japan under the Unit Deployment Program. Upon his return from Japan he joined 2nd Recon Battalion as their intelligence officer, where he deployed to Sana’a, Yemen, as a counterintelligence analyst for Special Operations Command Yemen. He left active duty and joined the reserves but requested activation orders so he could deploy to Iraq.
He found a home as an intelligence officer at 2nd ANGLICO, an elite unit that deploys small fire control teams to support joint and coalition units. He deployed on two combat deployments to Iraq with 2nd ANGLICO, performing flawlessly under stressful combat conditions in expeditionary environments. His infantry background made him an incredibly useful addition to any team, operating as a Joint Terminal Air Controller as well as an intelligence analyst.
On July 21st 2006 Capt Pate was operating as a member of Military Training Team, tasked to mentor Iraqi soldiers in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. He was not scheduled to work that day, but volunteered to leave the wire and help his teammates conduct security patrols. An insurgent detonated an Improvised Explosive Device near his patrol, wounding Chris and several of his Iraqi soldiers. He calmly reported his situation to his command and coordinated a medevac for his teammates. He died before help arrived but his quick thinking and selfless actions saved the lives of two Iraqi soldiers.
Chris was engaged to marry Margaret A. Stearns, a classmate from Oregon Episcopal. They had big dreams together, including the possibility of moving to Washington, D.C., and an exciting future full of opportunities. With his background in business, military accolades, and foreign languages, there was no limit to what Chris could have achieved. His friends speculated that he had a future in the intelligence community, but it was something he wasn’t allowed to talk about.
Today, we say our final goodbyes to Captain Christopher T. Pate, a true hero, a renaissance man, and a loving fiancé. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. We honor his sacrifice and the legacy he leaves behind. May we find strength and inspiration in his example of courage, selflessness, and the pursuit of knowledge and adventure. Fair winds and following seas Captain Christopher Pate, you are not forgotten.
This site is free for everyone to learn about information warfare, connect with mentors, and seek the high ground! Unfortunately operating the site is not free and your donations are appreciated to keep KTC up and running.
