The U.S. Department of Defense on Friday identified the American soldier who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this week.
He was wounded by enemy fire while “conducting combat operations” in the province, the Army said, adding that he was medically evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility. There, he was pronounced dead from his wounds.
“The 75th Ranger Regiment suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Sgt. 1st Class Chris Celiz. The Celiz family has been a critical component of our team and their community in Savannah, Georgia,” stated Col. Brandon Tegtmeier, Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “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 was on his fifth combat deployment. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and a Meritorious Service Medal, the Army stated.
His death came just days after Army Cpl. Joseph Maciel was killed during an apparent insider attack in southern Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
The deaths of Macia and Celiz are the third and fourth combat fatalities in Afghanistan in 2018, respectively.
U.S. Army Col. Scott Jackson, the Security Force Assistance Brigade’s commander in Afghanistan, said that insider attacks were a threat but that American forces are taking the necessary precautions to mitigate them.
