Knowledge must come about through action. 

Sophocles 

Cryptologic Technician Technical Chief (CTTC) Christian M. Pike was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1981, 

thousands of miles from American shores, but he discovered at an early age he was part of a family that had 

a distinguished legacy of service within the United States military. His maternal grandfather had served in 

the Navy in World War II. His uncle, who became a major influence in his life, retired as a colonel in the 

Green Berets. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, his mother Diana spent over a decade in the U.S. Army's 

cryptologic service. 

His mother's duty assignments took the family to Vint Hill Farms in Warrenton, Virginia; Ft. Meade, 

Maryland; and, finally, Peoria, Arizona. As a student at Peoria High School, Christian pursued a variety of 

hobbies and interests to include cars and ceramics. He graduated in 2000 and went delayed entry into the 

United States Navy in 2001, joining the long line of family members who had served the nation. 

After basic training at Great Lakes Illinois, he took advanced technical training at the Naval Technical 

Training Center at Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida, to become an Electronic Warfare Technician (EW), which 

has since been designated Cryptologic Technician Technical ( CTT). His initial tour of duty was aboard U.S.S. 

Cleveland (LPD-7) making multiple Western Pacific deployments afloat. 

In July 2007 he reported to Navy Information Operations Command, San 

Diego. During this tour he supported Navy cryptologic operations in the 

Pacific and volunteered to deploy to Iraq in support of Marine combat 

operations. In 2011 he reported to Naval Special Warfare Support Activity 

ONE in Coronado, California, from which he deployed in March 2013 to 

Afghanistan assigned to ECHO Platoon, Seal Team FIVE, in support of 

Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. 

As a highly trained specialist, Chief Pike's job was to use a wide range 

of finely honed cryptologic skills and talents to gain critical intelligence on 

real time enemy movements and actions. As was the case with everything 
he did in life, on the battlefield Christian exhibited a passion for his work and 

his efforts played a critical role in helping his unit to achieve their objectives 

and save lives. Chief Pike's long time friend, Petty Officer John P. Goodson, 

noted that "He knew how to get the best out of someone:' 

On March 10, 2013, Chief Pike and his unit found themselves in a 

fierce battle with a large number of insurgents. Before making contact with 

the enemy, Christian had been able to provide advance warning of their 

approach. Despite this knowledge, the group was badly outnumbered, 

and during the ensuing fighting Christian was seriously wounded. He was 

evacuated and airlifted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany but 

sadly died days later. 

From the time he was growing up until his final moments, Chief Petty Officer Christian Pike remained 

true to his family's legacy of service and sacrifice. His devotion to his fellow service members and to the finest 

traditions of the United States Navy never faltered. His was a life exemplified by honor, devotion to duty, and 

the unbridled joy and happiness that he brought to his family and friends. At a memorial service in June, 

NSA Creative Imaging -72916 

Diana Pike noted with great pride that her son had "led a life he 

chose. He was so happy. And happiness is all any mother would 

want for her children .... He loved his job, he loved the Navy, and he 

loved his teammates:' 

For his heroic achievement in connection with combat 

operations against the enemy, Chief Pike was posthumously 

awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. He was the first SA-1 service 

member to be killed in combat while supporting Operation 

ENDURING FREEDOM. 

CTTC Christian M. Pike 

19 Nov 1981 - 13 Mar 2013 

Photographs courtesy of the Pike family 

Visit our web site, www.nsa.gov 

MEMORIAL DAY 2014