Christopher M Erberich

Oceanside, california

June 1, 2006

Age

Military

Rank

Unit/Location

Army

Sgt

3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR

Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia

Died when their helicopter crashed in Doerun, Georgia.

Sgt. Christopher M. Erberich was born Oct. 10, 1980, in Oceanside, Calif.

Erberich earned his Graduation Equivalency Diploma in 1998 from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho. He then received his Associates of Applied Science Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from the ITT, also in Boise.

Erberich enlisted in the Army Jan. 3, 2001, as a helicopter repairman. After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Va., he was assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Training Company in August 2001. Upon completion of the Basic Mission Qualification Course, Erberich was assigned to the 3rd Bn., 160th SOAR(A), where he served as a helicopter repairman and then a MH-47D flight engineer.

He deployed six times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and once to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

His awards and decorations include the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviation Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Erberich is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and his parents, Michael and Teresa Erberich.