Chance Phelps

Chance Russel Phelps
1985-9 April 2004
Official photo
Place of birth	Dubois, Wyoming
Place of death	Ar Rumadi, Al Anbar Province, Iraq
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	USMC
Years of service	2003-2004
Rank	Lance Corporal, posthumous
Unit	3rd Battalion 11th Marines
Battles/wars	Operation Iraqi Freedom
Awards	Bronze Star w/ V Device Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon National Defense Service Medal Iraqi Campaign Medal/GWOT Expeditionary Medal GWOT Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Chance Phelps (1985–April 9, 2004) was a Private First Class (posthumously promoted to Lance Corporal)^[1] in the United States Marine Corps who served with 2nd Platoon, battery L, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (3/11), 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Biography

Phelps was born in Dubois, Wyoming, moved to Craig, Colorado as a young boy, and then again to Clifton, Colorado where he graduated high school in 2003. He made a decision to join the Marines motivated by the events of September 11, 2001. After attending recruit training (AKA boot camp) at MCRD San Diego, he attended artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and was finally assigned to 3/11, where he deployed in February 2004.

Death

Phelps was killed in action at approx. 1330 on April 9, 2004 (Good Friday), outside Ar Rumadi, Iraq. Phelp's unit was conducting convoy escorts (including the assistant commander of the First Marine Division, Brigadier General John Kelley^[2]) when they came under heavy small arms fire, as well as rocket propelled grenades. Despite being wounded, he refused to be evacuated, and instead manned his M2 .50 cal machine gun to cover the evacuation of the rest of his convoy. Upon withdrawal, he sustained his fatal wound to the head.

Honors

Phelps was buried in Dubois on April 17, 2004. His remains were escorted home by LtCol Michael Strobl, whose accounts of the escort were recorded in an article he wrote entitled "Taking Chance".^{[3] [4]} In attendance were his parents, step-parents, sister, the Chief of Naval Intelligence (for whom his sister was an aide), and every veterans organization within 90 miles. Several days later, a memorial service was held in Camp Rumadi, Iraq, by his unit. Some time after that, Chance was officially awarded a posthumous promotion to Lance Corporal. Approximately the same time, a baseball field constructed in Camp Rumadi was dedicated Phelps Field.^[5] In mid-2006, the mess hall at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms was dedicated Phelps Hall,^[6] with his citation posted on a boulder in front. Phelps is also memorialized by a rock garden at the 3/11 office and at the Dubois VFW post, as well as a plaque that travels with Battery L wherever it deploys and a battery mascot named after the Marine.

Media Attention

Phelps was also the subject of a video segment originally broadcast on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer on April 20, 2004: entitled A Fallen Son.^[7]
PBS ran a segment on Phelp's journey home as part of their Operation Homecoming documentary in the America at Crossroads series in April 16, 2007. ^[8]
HBO recently approved a movie based on LtCol Strobl's essay "Taking Chance", entitled simply "Taking Chance"^[9]. The movie is currently in preproduction and will be directed by Ross Katz (producer Lost in Translation^[10]). The script was also written by LtCol Strobl and filming is scheduled to begin in July 2007, with an airdate in early to mid 2008. Actor Kevin Bacon will play the lead role of LtCol Strobl.

References

Notes

External links

• Run 4 Chance, a memorial event begun by Phelp's family
• 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines home page
• Military Times articles