Christopher Celiz: Difference between revisions
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For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: |
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: |
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Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while engaged with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12th, 2018. As the leader of a special purpose unit comprised of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Sergeant First Class Celiz led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of Afghanistan and allied forces. Shortly after his team reached their final objectives, a large enemy force attacked, placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to counterattack. Realizing the danger the attack posed to his team and the operation, Sergeant First Class Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire to retrieve and employ a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treatment of a critically wounded partnered force member. As a medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the casualty, Sergeant First Class Celiz willingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty moved from a position of cover and out into intense enemy fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to his team carrying the casualty and the crew of the aircraft. As the casualty was loaded and Sergeant First Class Celiz’s team returned to cover, he alone remained at 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, Sergeant First Class Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. As the helicopter lifted off, Sergeant First Class Celiz was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his own injury but understanding the peril to the aircraft from the intense enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz motioned to the aircraft to depart rather than remain behind 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. Throughout the entire engagement, Sergeant First Class 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. |
Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while engaged with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12th, 2018. As the leader of a special purpose unit comprised of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Sergeant First Class Celiz led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of Afghanistan and allied forces. Shortly after his team reached their final objectives, a large enemy force attacked, placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to counterattack. Realizing the danger the attack posed to his team and the operation, Sergeant First Class Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire to retrieve and employ a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treatment of a critically wounded partnered force member. As a medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the casualty, Sergeant First Class Celiz willingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty moved from a position of cover and out into intense enemy fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to his team carrying the casualty and the crew of the aircraft. As the casualty was loaded and Sergeant First Class Celiz’s team returned to cover, he alone remained at 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, Sergeant First Class Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. As the helicopter lifted off, Sergeant First Class Celiz was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his own injury but understanding the peril to the aircraft from the intense enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz motioned to the aircraft to depart rather than remain behind 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. Throughout the entire engagement, Sergeant First Class 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Remarks by President Biden at Presentation of the Medal of Honor |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/12/16/remarks-by-president-biden-at-presentation-of-the-medal-of-honor/ |website=White House |access-date=17 December 2021}}</ref>}} |
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==Awards and decorations== |
==Awards and decorations== |
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Revision as of 16:14, 17 December 2021
Christopher Celiz | |
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| Birth name | Christopher Andrew Celiz |
| Born | January 12, 1986 Summerville, South Carolina |
| Died | July 12, 2018 (aged 32) Paktia Province, Afghanistan |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 2007–2018 |
| Rank | Sergeant first class |
| Unit | Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment[1] 530th Engineer Clearance Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion[1] D Company, 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment[1] |
| Battles / wars | 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 from President Joe Biden on December 16, 2021, for his actions on July 12, 2018.[2] President Biden awarded 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.[3][4]
A native of Summerville, South Carolina, Celiz attended The Citadel from 2004 to 2006. He enlisted in the Army in 2007.[5][6]
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has posthumously awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to
Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while engaged with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12th, 2018. As the leader of a special purpose unit comprised of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Sergeant First Class Celiz led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of Afghanistan and allied forces. Shortly after his team reached their final objectives, a large enemy force attacked, placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to counterattack. Realizing the danger the attack posed to his team and the operation, Sergeant First Class Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire to retrieve and employ a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treatment of a critically wounded partnered force member. As a medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the casualty, Sergeant First Class Celiz willingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty moved from a position of cover and out into intense enemy fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to his team carrying the casualty and the crew of the aircraft. As the casualty was loaded and Sergeant First Class Celiz’s team returned to cover, he alone remained at 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, Sergeant First Class Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. As the helicopter lifted off, Sergeant First Class Celiz was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his own injury but understanding the peril to the aircraft from the intense enemy machine gun fire, Sergeant First Class Celiz motioned to the aircraft to depart rather than remain behind 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. Throughout the entire engagement, Sergeant First Class 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.[7]
Awards and decorations
SFC Celiz received the following for his military career:[1][8]
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See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz 75th Ranger Regiment" (PDF). soc.mil. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan (December 8, 2021). "Biden to award three Medals of Honor for combat actions in Iraq, Afghanistan". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ Lamothe, Dan (December 15, 2021). "After extraordinary sacrifice — and years of delay — Alwyn Cashe gets his Medal of Honor". Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ Deena, Zaru; Robinson, Adia (December 16, 2021). "Alwyn Cashe set to become first Black recipient of Medal of Honor for service in post-9/11 war on terror". ABC News. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
- ^ "The name of Army Ranger Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz added to The Citadel War Memorial". The Citadel Today. February 7, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Biden reportedly preparing to award Medal of Honor to SC Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan". The Citadel Today. December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
- ^ "Remarks by President Biden at Presentation of the Medal of Honor". White House. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Celiz, Christopher Andrew, SFC, USA Veteran". army.togethereweserved.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
