Pulaski Times

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the service and sacrifice of Chris Traxson in 'Salute to Veterans,' a series highlighting the military service of Arkansans.

Traxson, born in Rogers, graduated from Rogers High School in 1999. He attended Northwest Arkansas Community College before enrolling at the University of Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

He served as a police officer for his hometown and, after a year in that role, enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Traxson comes from a family with a history of military service, including his father who was drafted during the Vietnam War. Inspired by this legacy, he decided to contribute to the War on Terror.

"It was a time when I felt like I wanted to do more. There was a lot going on in the Middle East," he said. "I just felt like I was in a place in my life from the physical fitness standpoint and maturity level where I thought I could go in and help with the effort."

Encouraged by law enforcement colleagues who were veterans of the Marines, Traxson sought to serve on the frontlines. He believed that joining the Marine infantry division would be the quickest path to combat and appreciated its proud tradition.

At 24 years old, Traxson attended boot camp. "I was definitely the old man; they kinda came to me for that fatherly guidance even though I wasn’t a father. And it was the same in infantry school as well."

In 2006, his unit attached to another from Detroit as part of a large battalion buildup that would eventually deploy to Fallujah, Iraq.

Arriving two years after major battles had occurred there, Traxson observed severe property damage and hostility among locals returning to Fallujah.

"In the first two weeks we were there it was extremely quiet and then after that two-week period things started popping off. We were getting enemy contact almost every day," he recalled. "They knew we were a new unit."

Traxson's assignment involved riding in the turret of a Humvee, operating its machine gun and watching for improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Four weeks into his deployment, he was injured by an IED explosion.

"I wasn’t even supposed to go out that day," he said. Despite being given an option to sit out due to encountering an explosive device on their last mission, he chose to participate.

The explosion left him with third-degree burns on 56 percent of his body. After being transported back home, he spent two years recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and underwent over 70 surgeries.

His mother quit her job as a nurse in Arkansas to care for him during recovery. "She wanted to make sure I had somebody to speak for me," he said.

During this period, letters from fellow marines kept him updated about friends within his unit. "Obviously [we’d] suffered casualties and they would let me know about who those were," he said. "Some of them I was close to so it was hard not being able to go to their funerals."

For his sacrifice, Traxson received a Purple Heart: "No one wants to get a Purple Heart but I'm happy to accept it."

Discharged in 2009, Traxson worked part-time while continuing his healing process and served as a security guard at Northwest Arkansas Community College for eight years. Graduating from business school in 2013, today he works at Benton County Veterans Service Office helping veterans obtain benefits and services they’ve earned: “My experience makes it easier for them to talk.”

Traxson speaks with students about his journey encouraging optimism alongside public service aspirations whether through military or civic engagement roles: “Some of best people I've met wore uniforms... They made me better.”

“Chris Traxson honorably served his country making great sacrifices,” Boozman stated. “His perseverance inspires us all... I'm proud capturing preserving memories benefiting future generations.”

Boozman submitted Traxson’s interview into Veterans History Project under Library Congress’s American Folklife Center initiative collecting oral histories nation’s veterans.

Nominations are open for other Arkansas veterans interested sharing memories via ‘Salute Veterans’ series by contacting Boozman’s Fort Smith office at 479-573-0189.