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Eeeeeeeeh....The only reason I would doubt this would be that, aside from the fact that he would have worn his armor and did not first face Elites until after he got it and before it got shields, is that the rank of Master Chief, Petty Officer, which is 117's rank, is Navy, whilst the rank of Sergeant, in all of its permutations, is Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force.
This also goes doesn't mention that, after Spartans got shields, which they had in Halo Wars, Cheif's time, aside from when he might as well have been M.I.A. (End of Halo 2, End of Halo 3), is all accounted for. 117 was also the first Spartan to get a shield. He then fought some Covenant in space, went back to Reach, which was subsequently invaded prior to the first Halo, then to Earth, then to the second Halo, then to Earth (Again), then to the Ark, then to a mystery planet that can be rumored to be Onyx, which would be awesome.
[EDIT]
Also, like the guy above me said, he's dead. I had forgotten that.
[Edited on 09.12.2010 10:37 PM PDT]