Chuck Komppa honored by comrades

Chuck Komppa's Navy friends said he died doing what he loved - helping other people.

In a sense, they said, Komppa is still doing that.

"I believe it brought us, the Billings detachment, closer," Rick Starks said. "We were already like a group of brothers. It is hard to describe the bonds and friendships that get created in this setting. We've been through something that most people will never see or know, so it does tend to set other people apart from those of us that have served."

This is the first friend that Mark Olsen has lost in combat. The loss has brought the reservists closer, he said.

"It does bring those of us from Billings closer, and I think everyone else in the battalion," Olsen said. "The last thing we wanted was to lose someone, even though we knew it could happen."

Komppa, a petty officer 2nd class, was killed Oct. 25 when the Humvee he was driving hit an improvised explosive device, or IED. Four Marines in the Humvee were also killed. They were in the western province of Al-Anbar, a Sunni rebel stronghold.

That Wednesday was Starks' first day off in more than a month since arriving in Iraq. Starks was lounging and reading a book when word came of the loss.

"I'm the assistant officer in charge of the Billings detachment and felt immediately sick to my stomach," Starks said. "I jumped, threw my uniform on, grabbed my weapon and jumped on my bike (the main form of transportation around here) and hauled ... to our compound where it was confirmed that we lost Chuck."

Olsen said he had seen Komppa the week before his death and that, in an earlier meeting, they had the opportunity to visit over dinner.

"I still don't think it's quite sunk in," Olsen said. "I keep expecting to see him.

"It definitely makes you think hard about life and friendships," he said. "You tend to take friends/family for granted until they're gone, and then you wished you'd spent more time getting to know them."

This is how Olsen described Komppa: "Charles was one of the nicest people you ever want to meet. He was quiet and self-confident; he never complained or said anything negative. He was the type of person you instantly like and trusted. He will be missed."

Starks described him as "the ultimate team player. He was always ready to help out or take charge. In the Navy we have a set of core values we live by: 'Honor, Courage and Commitment.' Chuck lived up to and beyond those core values. First, by serving and re-enlisting to deploy with his shipmates; second, by volunteering to drive a Humvee in the convoy he was on; and third, by being committed to helping others."

Starks said the death made the members of the detachment angry, but they also know that every day is a risk.

"Everything we do here has an inherent danger to it," Starks said. "This just hits home a little harder."

Starks said he and others watched on the Internet an interview that Komppa's wife, Delisa, did with Billings television station KULR after his death.

"She said it all in that," Starks said. "Her husband was the kindest, most caring person you would ever know."

Just consider what Komppa was doing the day of his death, Starks said.

"Komppa was on assignment with the Marines doing an electrical assessment/site upgrade for improving the U.S. Marines' living conditions, which were pretty much nonexistent. So Chuck was doing what he enjoyed doing, helping people out," Starks said.

"He felt strongly about assisting the Marine,s since they were the ones in need. The Marines were constantly on patrols and are in a pretty hot area and, since their living conditions were shoddy to say the least, Chuck took a sense of pride and accomplishment in helping the Marines out."

Iraq memorial service

Last Saturday, a week before his funeral in Montana will take place, a memorial service was held for Komppa at the chapel in the compound where the men are based. For security reasons, the troopers didn't give details about where they are located.

The service was emotional, they said. It was done with full military honors, along with bagpipes and prayers. A man from Komppa's battalion sang the national anthem, and a female lieutenant sang "Amazing Grace." The command master chief announced last roll call, followed by taps.

Olsen read the 91st Psalm.

"I was told it was one of Chuck's favorite scriptures," Olsen said. "It discusses the conflict between good and evil."

The opening lines of the Psalm are: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' "

Starks read the core values of the Navy, "Honor, Courage and Commitment," and statements from Komppa's officer in charge and one from the Billings sailor who last saw him alive. Part of the sailor's creed reads: "I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who have gone before me to defend freedom and democracy around the world."

"I did really good until the end and lost it," Starks said. "Chuck's death hit close to home. He was an awesome guy. He was always ready to help someone out."

At the end of the ceremony, service members from the Navy, Marines and Army stopped at the inverted rifle and helmet to pay their respects.

The Billings detachment gathered in front of the monument and had a group hug.

"We vowed never to forget Chuck or his family," Starks said. "When we get home, the house he was building will get completed by his 'brothers.' "

Give me a snow day

The troopers and most of the Billings reservists arrived in Gulfport, Miss., in June for training. They left near the middle of September for "six wonderful months in the sun," Starks said. After leaving the United States, they trained in Kuwait for a few weeks before going to Iraq. The deployment was expected to be six to nine months.

While the work is what they signed on to do, the men long for home and even the roughest days as troopers - going wreck to wreck during a winter storm.

"I miss being at home and patrolling the road," Starks said. "I would much rather be there on the worst snow day we've ever had than here in Iraq."

Olson and Starks' rank is petty officer 1st class. Starks is a master at arms, the Navy's version of a military police.

Olsen is attached to a "convoy security element," which he said means "we escort equipment and supplies to where ever they need to go."

Starks is the leading petty officer of Echo Company.

"I'm tasked with internal security and law enforcement, anti-terrorism and force protection," Starks said. "I also deal with convoy security as a support person. We have people all over the country, and I have to ensure their security at their camps, so I travel around. For the most part, all movement is done by air unless there is a need for ground movement like in Komppa's case or what our convoy security teams do."

Starks has been in the Navy for 21 years and the MHP for five.

"I am serving because it is what I do and who I am," Starks said. "Same principle: honor, courage and commitment."

Olsen has been enlisted more than 20 years. He served one year with the Army Reserve 592nd Ordinance Co. in Billings then returned to the Navy. Last July he marked six years with MHP.

"As far as why I enlisted, some days I wonder, but I know it was the right thing for me and I don't regret it for a minute," Olsen said. "I've built friendships I'll never forget and seen a few faraway places, Japan, Okinawa, Philippines and now Kuwait and Iraq. It's given me a sense of pride and accomplishment knowing I'm doing something for someone else."

Both men credited their wives - Tina Starks and Sheri Olsen - for keeping things together at home.

The Olsens are building a new home. Olsen said he saw the excavation and footings before he left. E-mailed photos have helped him watch the construction.

"I have to give most of the credit to my wife," Olsen said. "I know it hasn't been easy for her putting up with me being gone and having to take care of the family during my absences. I couldn't have done it without her support."

Starks, too, feels the strain of being away from home. But, he said, the detachment is doing good work.

"Some stuff is mundane everyday routine, but we have military members out here doing infrastructure repair, assisting the Iraqi people in rebuilding and repair," Starks said.

"Do I think we are making a difference? Yes. I do. I see it every day when I see the locals feeling safe, having electricity, water, shelter, etc. ... that we take for granted back home."

From the Billings Gazette

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