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War History Online
Unable to Launch A Counterattack, MoH Recipient Christopher Celiz Gave His Life to Protect His Unit From Enemy Fire
By Clare Fitzgerald,
2024-07-31
Sgt. Christopher Celiz represented the perfect soldier. While deployed in Afghanistan, he sacrificed his life to shield an injured fellow soldier and the MEDEVAC team dispatched to save him. His selfless bravery that day earned him the Medal of Honor, the military's highest distinction, awarded posthumously.
Christopher Celiz's enlistment in the US Army
Christopher Celiz enlisted in the US Army in September 2006. After completing basic combat and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood , Missouri, he was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood , Texas as a combat engineer and team leader.
Deployed to Iraq
Christopher Celiz was subsequently transferred to Company C, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division as a team leader, followed by an assignment with the 530th Engineer Clearance Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield , Georgia, as a sapper squad leader and platoon sergeant.
In 2013, Christopher Celiz was chosen to join the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment as a combat engineer. By March 2017, he was assigned to Company D and assumed the role of mortar platoon sergeant. The battalion was later deployed to Afghanistan, where he led a special purpose unit comprising Company D members and partnered forces.
On July 12, 2018, Celiz was leading an operation in Paktia province, Afghanistan, with the objective of clearing the area of enemy forces. As they were nearing the end of the operation, the unit came under heavy fire from an enemy force armed with machine guns and small-arms weapons. The attack was so intense that it prevented them from launching a counterattack.
Christopher Celiz used his body as a shield
Recognizing the danger his team faced, Christopher Celiz risked his life to retrieve and operate a heavy weapons system. This enabled his unit to regain control and move to a secure location, where they began treating a wounded partnered soldier.
As the enemy barrage continued and a MEDEVAC helicopter arrived, Celiz knew it was crucial to evacuate his injured comrade. He exposed himself to enemy fire and used his body as a shield while moving the wounded soldier toward the chopper.
Dying of his injuries
As the helicopter lifted off, Christopher Celiz was hit, but, instead of having the chopper remain, he motioned for it to leave. He was treated on the ground and transported to a nearby medical facility, where he died of his injuries.
Following Celiz's sacrifice, Captain Ben Krzeczowski, the pilot in command of the MEDEVAC mission, said , "Courage, to me, is putting your life on the line to save the life of another, as demonstrated by Sfc. Chris Celiz who died protecting my crew."
Medal of Honor recipient
Christopher Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by US President Joe Biden in December 2021. It was presented to his wife and daughter. During the ceremony, Biden called Celiz "courage made flesh," and thanked his family for his service.
The citation reads:
"His selfless actions saved the life of the evacuated partner force member and almost certainly prevented further casualties among other members of his team and the aircraft. Throughout the entire engagement, Sergeant First Class Christopher Celiz significantly changed the course of battle by repeatedly placing himself in extreme danger to protect his team, defeat the enemy, and it ultimately cost him his life.
"Sergeant First Class Celiz's extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
He gave all in selfless service , and biden spit on all the graves of the fallen and spit in the faces of wounded to do his bastardized withdrawal and funneling billions through the UN to support the Taliban to this day. No forgiveness. RIP brother !
Green and White
08-03
RIP, brother. You were called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, and you answered. Utmost respect. 💯
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