Christopher Andrew Celiz

Shielded a medical evacuation helicopter under fire

Christopher Andrew Celiz died protecting an evacuation in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on 12 July 2018. A sergeant first class in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire so a wounded partnered soldier and helicopter crew could escape.

Born in Summerville, South Carolina, on 12 January 1986, Celiz enlisted on 24 January 2008. He trained as a combat engineer at Fort Leonard Wood and served with cavalry and engineer units before joining the Ranger Regiment in 2013. He became the battalion's master breacher and engineer, then a mortar platoon sergeant in March 2017. He completed seven combat deployments: one to Iraq and six to Afghanistan.

During his final operation, an enemy attack prevented his team from maneuvering. Celiz brought a heavy weapon into action, helping the force reach cover and treat a casualty. When the evacuation helicopter arrived under fire, he directed the transfer and placed himself between the aircraft and enemy positions. Wounded as it lifted off, he signaled the crew to depart without him.

Celiz died that day. President Joseph R. Biden presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his widow on 16 December 2021. His legacy rests in the lives protected by his decision to remain exposed during the evacuation.

Medal of Honor 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.