Born on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland while his father was stationed there, Nathan Chapman grew up all over the United States, including Federal Way; Montgomery, Ala.; Las Vegas; and Centerville, Ohio, near Dayton, Nathan wrestled at Centerville High School, before graduating and joining the Army in 1988.

On January 4th, 2002, near the city of Khost, Afghanistan, Sergeant First Class Nathan R. Chapman became the first American soldier killed by enemy fire in the War on Terror. Although mortally wounded, SFC Chapman heroically returned fire until losing consciousness and is credited with saving the lives of his comrades.