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Myrtle Beach First Sergeant John R. Champion Jr., age 41 of Myrtle Beach died on July 6, 2009 in Beaufort, NC. First Sergeant John R. Champion is a native of South Carolina. He was born in Charlotte, NC. He attended Socastee High School and immediately joined the US Army at the age of 17. He went to basic training in Ft. McClellan, AL and advance medical training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. John also attended Airborne school at Ft. Benning, GA upon his initial entry. First Sergeant Champion has held many assignments worldwide Korea, Italy, Turkey, Singapore, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Darfur. He was also stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Irwin, CA, and Ft. Polk, LA. He spent 10 years in the 82nd Airborne Division and 11 years serving as a Special Forces operator. His combat tours include Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Rwanda, Darfur, Bosnia, and Kosovo. First Sergeant Champion served two terms in Iraq and Afghanistan and two terms in Desert Storm. His awards include the Soldiers Medal for actions during the Towle Stadium shooting on 27, Oct 1995 and was presented the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with "V" device for actions in combat while deployed to Afghanistan along with the Air medal for saving the lives of over 20 German Soldiers who were critically wounded; Meritorious Service Medal 4th award, Good Conduct Medal 7th Award, Humanitarian Service Medal 2nd award, South West Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, The Combat Medical Badge, Air Crewman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Special Forces Tab, Airborne Tab, Belgium Commando Badge, German Fitness Badge, National Defense Service Medal, War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He assisted in the search and rescue of victims in the 9/11 tragedies of the twin towers and the Pentagon. Upon retiring from the US Army in 2005 he went to work for the US Government for two years with Project HOPE serving in Africa to stop Genocide in Darfur. He held a Bachelor of Science degree from Campbell University. He was residing in Beaufort, NC where he was the Sr. Vice Commander of VFW Post 2401 and was operating a restaurant in Morehead City, NC. He was preceded in death by his father, George Kornbau Sr.; birth father, John R. Champion, Sr.; and his brother James Hunter Champion. He is survived by his mother, Gloria S. Kornbau of Murrells Inlet; daughter, Madison Caroline Champion of Stafford, VA; sisters, Leslie J. Champion of Tampa, FL, Susan Celeste Edwards of WV; stepbrothers, Michael L. Kornbau of Myrtle Beach, Gerald Kornbau, Jeff Kornbau, George Kornbau, Jr. all of York, PA; and nieces, Tori and Taylor Edwards of Inman. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel in Murrells Inlet with General Randy West officiating. An online guest book is available is www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran of Foreign Wars of US, Department of NC Relief Fund, PO BOX 25337, Raleigh, NC 27611 or to Veterans of Foreign Wars of US, VFW Post 10420 Relief Fund, PO Box 308, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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John Richard Champion

July 6, 2009