Army Special Forces Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Falkel died Monday in Deh Afghan, the U.S. Department of Defense reported Wednesday.

Falkel, 22, was assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Falkel, who grew up in Colorado, was an athletic youngster who enlisted in the Army in 2001 because he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, said his best friend and next-door neighbor.

"We were more than best friends. We were more like brothers," said Matthew Sahagun, a Marine who recently returned home after a six month deployment to Japan. "I could always rely on him."

Falkel attended Thunder Ridge High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., where he played soccer and excelled academically.

He also loved snowboarding in the Rocky Mountains.

"He was really good at whatever he did," Sahagun said. "He was a great soldier. He took it serious and made it look so easy."

The friends enlisted in the military after high school graduation.

Falkel attended the Special Forces Arabic Language Course and the Special Forces Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course. He graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course in June 2003, according to an Army statement.

He went overseas in June. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and the Purple Heart.

Survivors include his parents, Jeffery and Dianne Falkel, of Highlands Ranch, Colo. They were unavailable for comment Wednesday.

Sahagun last saw Falkel while both were on leave during the Christmas holidays. "He was a fine, fine young man," Sahagun said.

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