Medal of Honor: Christopher A. Celiz – War on Terror – July 12, 2018

Name: Christopher Andrew Celiz

Rank: Sergeant First Class

Branch: U.S. Army

War: War on Terror (Afghanistan)

Unit: 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment

Date of Action: July 12, 2018

Location: Paktia Province, Afghanistan

Summary of Action

On July 12, 2018, Sergeant First Class Christopher A. Celiz was serving as the leader of a special purpose unit composed of U.S. Army Rangers and partnered Afghan forces conducting combat operations in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. The mission's objective was to clear enemy-held terrain and disrupt future attacks against Afghan government and coalition forces.

Shortly after reaching their final objectives, Celiz and his team came under a coordinated and intense enemy attack. Effective enemy machine-gun and small arms fire pinned down the unit, preventing maneuver and threatening both the mission and the lives of his soldiers.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Sergeant First Class Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to enemy fire in order to retrieve and employ a heavy weapons system. His decisive actions allowed U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to more secure positions, and begin treating a critically wounded allied soldier.

As the battle continued, a medical evacuation helicopter arrived to extract the casualty. Almost immediately, the aircraft came under accurate and sustained enemy fire.

Understanding that every second the helicopter remained on the ground increased the danger to the wounded soldier, the crew, and his team, Celiz deliberately moved into the open to direct and lead the evacuation effort.

As the casualty was carried from cover toward the helicopter, Sergeant First Class Celiz intentionally positioned himself between the enemy and his fellow soldiers, using his own body as a physical shield while returning fire.

Once the casualty had been loaded and the rest of his team returned to covered positions, Celiz remained alone beside the helicopter.

Rather than seeking safety, he continually repositioned himself under enemy fire to shield both the aircraft and its crew. Each movement was deliberate and selfless, ensuring that enemy fire would strike him before reaching the helicopter.

In his final moments, Sergeant First Class Celiz moved directly between the cockpit and the enemy's machine guns, providing the protection necessary for the aircraft to safely depart.

As the helicopter lifted off, he was struck by enemy fire and mortally wounded.

Despite knowing he had been critically injured, Sergeant First Class Celiz understood that lingering to recover him would place everyone aboard the helicopter in grave danger. Instead of signaling for assistance, he motioned for the aircraft to leave without him.

His actions saved the life of the wounded partnered force member and almost certainly prevented additional casualties among his fellow Rangers and the helicopter crew.

Sergeant First Class Christopher Celiz gave his life ensuring that others would return home.

Awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2021, his courage represents the finest traditions of the Ranger Regiment and the American soldier—placing the lives of others above one's own without hesitation. His final act was not merely one of bravery, but of complete selflessness in the face of certain death.

Medal of Honor Citation

CHRISTOPHER ANDREW CELIZ

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army.

Unit: 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

Place and date: Paktia Province, Afghanistan, July 12, 2018.

Citation:

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.