Christopher Celiz Explained

Christopher Celiz
Birth Date:12 January 1986
Birth Place:Summerville, South Carolina
Death Place:Paktia Province, Afghanistan
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:2007–2018
Rank:Sergeant first class
Unit:Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment
530th Engineer Clearance Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion
D Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
Battles:Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
Awards:Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal

Christopher Andrew Celiz (January 12, 1986 – July 12, 2018) was a sergeant first class in the United States Army. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden on December 16, 2021, for his actions on July 12, 2018.[1] President Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Celiz's family during a ceremony on 16 December 2021, along with Earl Plumlee and the family of Alwyn Cashe.[2] [3] He was the only Jewish recipient of the Medal of Honor in the Global War on Terrorism.[4] [5]

A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Celiz attended The Citadel from 2004 to 2006. He enlisted in the army in 2007.[6] [7]

Death

On July 12, 2018, as the leader of a special operations unit composed of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Celiz led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Shortly after his team reached their initial objective, a large enemy force attacked. The enemy placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to a counterattack. Realizing the danger to his team and the operation, Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire.

Under fire, he retrieved and employed a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treating a critically wounded partnered force member.

As the medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the wounded partner, Celiz willingly exposed himself again to heavy enemy fire so he could take charge to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty was moved from a position of cover, Celiz made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to protect his team, the injured partner and the crew of the aircraft from enemy fire. After the wounded partner was loaded, Celiz's team returned to cover, but he remained with the aircraft, returning a high volume of fire and constantly repositioning himself to act as a physical shield to the aircraft and its crew.

With his final reposition, Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. Upon the helicopter’s liftoff, Celiz was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his injury, but understanding the peril to the aircraft, Celiz motioned to Captain Ben Krzeczowski to depart rather than remain to load him. His selfless actions saved the life of the evacuated partnered force member and almost certainly prevented further casualties among other members of his team and the aircrew. Celiz died as a result of his injuries.

Awards and decorations

Celiz received the following for his military career:[8] [9]

U.S. military decorations
Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 2 bronze Oak leaf clusters
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with 4 bronze Oak leaf clusters (5 awards)
Army Good Conduct Medal (3 awards)
U.S. Unit Awards
Meritorious Unit Commendation with 1 bronze Oak leaf cluster
U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 3 bronze Campaign stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 bronze Campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with award numeral 3
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 3
NATO Medal for service with ISAF

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lamothe . Dan . 8 December 2021 . Biden to award three Medals of Honor for combat actions in Iraq, Afghanistan . https://web.archive.org/web/20211208220722/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/12/08/biden-medal-of-honor-cashe-plumlee-celiz/ . 8 December 2021 . 15 December 2021 . The Washington Post.
  2. Web site: Lamothe . Dan . 15 December 2021 . After extraordinary sacrifice — and years of delay — Alwyn Cashe gets his Medal of Honor . https://web.archive.org/web/20211215111117/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/12/15/alwyn-cashe-medal-of-honor/ . 15 December 2021 . 16 December 2021 . The Washington Post.
  3. Web site: Deena . Zaru . Robinson . Adia . 16 December 2021 . Alwyn Cashe set to become first Black recipient of Medal of Honor for service in post-9/11 war on terror . https://web.archive.org/web/20220720173129/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/alwyn-cashe-set-black-recipient-medal-honor-service/story?id=81769891 . 20 July 2022 . 16 December 2021 . ABC News.
  4. Web site: . 17 December 2021 . What they earned: Three Medal of Honor recipients represent the best of America . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217212138/https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-edit-what-they-earned-20211217-nx7aanosi5avhikm6pt2mptili-story.html . 17 December 2021 . 17 December 2021 . New York Daily News.
  5. Web site: . 16 December 2021 . Jewish Army Ranger posthumously awarded Medal of Honor by Biden . https://web.archive.org/web/20220730003959/https://www.jpost.com/international/jewish-army-ranger-posthumously-awarded-medal-of-honor-by-biden-689011 . 30 July 2022 . 17 December 2021 . The Jerusalem Post.
  6. Web site: 7 February 2019 . The name of Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz added to The Citadel War Memorial . https://web.archive.org/web/20200808094445/https://today.citadel.edu/army-ranger-christopher-celiz-citadel-war-memorial/ . 8 August 2020 . 15 December 2021 . The Citadel Today.
  7. News: Novelly . Thomas . December 10, 2021 . Biden reportedly preparing to award Medal of Honor to SC Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan . . . December 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211216112949/https://today.citadel.edu/biden-reportedly-preparing-to-award-medal-of-honor-to-sc-army-ranger-killed-in-afghanistan/ . 16 December 2021.
  8. Web site: Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz 75th Ranger Regiment . https://web.archive.org/web/20220704222519/https://www.soc.mil/Memorial%20Wall/bios/freedom_sentinel/SFC%20Celiz.pdf . 4 July 2022 . December 15, 2021 . SOC.mil.
  9. Web site: Celiz, Christopher Andrew, SFC, USA Veteran . 15 December 2021 . Together We Served.