A Georgia-based Army Ranger on his fifth deployment died of his injuries Thursday following an attack in Paktia province, according to a Friday release from the Defense Department.
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, 32, was deployed with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Hunter Army Airfield, according to the release.
“While conducting combat operations in Paktiya province, Celiz was wounded by enemy small arms fire,” per a release from U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
“He was treated immediately and medically evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility where he died of his wounds.”
(The Pentagon said that Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz was killed on July 12 due to “wounds sustained as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting operations in support of a medical evacuation landing zone.” Courtesy of United News International and YouTube. Posted on Jul 17, 2018.)
The battalion mortar platoon sergeant posthumously received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, the release said.
Celiz had been preparing to leave the regiment at the time of his death, the release said, to join an infantry unit.
“The 75th Ranger Regiment suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Sgt. 1st Class Chris Celiz,” Col. Brandon Tegtmeier, the 75th Ranger Regiment’s commander, said in the release.
“Chris was a national treasure who led his Rangers with passion, competence, and an infectiously positive attitude no matter the situation. He will be greatly missed.”
Celiz had previously deployed with 1st Battalion to both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008 and 2011, respectively, the release said.
His awards and decorations include the Joitn Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation medals, five Army Achievement Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three stars, the Iraq Campaign Medal with two stars.
“Sgt. 1st Class Chris Celiz was a great Ranger leader, and he will be sorely missed by 1st Ranger Battalion. He had an incredibly positive attitude that inspired Rangers throughout the formation,” his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Sean McGee, said in the release.
“Sgt. 1st Class Celiz led from the front and always put himself at the decisive point on the battlefield.”
“He was a loving husband and father, and he and his family have been an important part of the fabric that represents 1st Ranger Battalion and the Savannah community.”
Celiz is the second soldier killed within a week in Afghanistan, after a force protection infantryman assigned to the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade died following an apparent insider attack on Saturday.
Original post https://www.armytimes.com/newsletters/daily-news-roundup/2018/07/13/army-ranger-killed-in-afghanistan-firefight-2/
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz and Cpl. Joseph Maciel. Rest easy soldiers. Thank you for your bravery and selfless sacrifice to our country.
Pentagon identifies soldier killed in apparent insider attack in Afghanistan
By Michelle Tan, ArmyTimes, July 8, 2018
The Pentagon on Sunday released the name of the soldier killed in an apparent insider attack in Afghanistan.
Cpl. Joseph Maciel, 20, died Saturday in Tarin Kowt district in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack, which is under investigation.
Maciel, of South Gate, California, was an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Benning, Georgia.
The soldiers from Task Force 1-28 Infantry are deployed in support of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade, a specialized unit of Army advisers who are deployed to train, advise and assist Afghan forces.
The soldiers are supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
(Corporal Joseph Maciel died from an apparent insider attack. Courtesy of CBS Los Angeles and YouTube. Posted on Jul 9, 2018.)
Maciel served in the Army for two years, and Fort Benning was his first assignment, according to information released by the 3rd Infantry Division.
He had been deployed to Afghanistan since February. He is survived by his parents.
Maciel’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Achievement Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
“Cpl. Maciel was an excellent soldier beloved by his teammates and dedicated to our mission,” said Lt. Col. David Conner, Maciel’s battalion commander, in a statement.
“He will be greatly missed by the entire Black Lion family. Our prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
