Description
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 acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while engaging with the enemy in Paktia Province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018.
On July 12th, 2018, SFC Christopher Celiz led a special operations unit composed of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment on a clearance operation in Paktia Province, Afghanistan. Minutes before sunrise, his team was attacked by a large enemy force from multiple positions. As SFC Celiz and his teammates energetically met the enemy, a partner force teammate was critically wounded. Despite intense enemy fire, SFC Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to retrieve and employ a heavy weapon system, allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, secure a location to treat their wounded teammate, and establish a helicopter landing zone to exfiltrate the casualty. A U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter crew heroically landed their aircraft in the contested landing zone, and it immediately came under accurate enemy fire, sustaining damage from multiple enemy small arms fire impacts.
This print is a historically accurate depiction of the actions of SFC Christopher Celiz, his special operations team, and the U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter crew shortly after daybreak on July 12th, 2018. Understanding the risk to the aircraft and aircrew, SFC Celiz once again exposed himself to heavy fire, directing and leading the evacuation. Fully knowing the hazards, he deliberately placed himself in a position to shield his team evacuating the casualty, his wounded teammate, and the aircrew. After the casualty was loaded on the aircraft, SFC Celiz continued to fight with all his might, positioning himself between the aircraft cockpit and the enemy, and aggressively suppressing the enemy with his weapon system. Despite the high volume of enemy fire, SFC Celiz’s actions enabled the departure of the MEDEVAC aircraft and the evacuation of the wounded team member. As the MEDEVAC aircraft departed the landing zone, SFC Celiz was wounded by enemy fire. In his final act, SFC Celiz heroically waved off the aircrew to prevent further damage to the aircraft and ensure the safety of the aircrew. Tragically, SFC Christopher Celiz succumbed to his wounds after being medically evacuated by the same MEDEVAC aircraft and aircrew that he fought so hard to defend.
On December 16, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr., posthumously awarded SFC Christopher A. Celiz the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for bravery. President Biden presented the Medal of Honor to SFC Celiz’s wife, Katherine Celiz, and daughter, Shannon Celiz. SFC Celiz is the second recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Regiment for actions in Afghanistan.
This print memorializes the extraordinary heroism and sacrifice of SFC Christopher A. Celiz on the morning of July 12th, 2018, in the face of significant enemy contact. It is a tribute to the men and women of the 75th Ranger Regiment and their teammates, who for nearly twenty years energetically met the enemies of their country across Afghanistan on objectives like this one. SFC Christopher Celiz set the example for generations of Rangers to follow, and he represents the best of our great Nation. He, like so many before and after him, lived the words of the Ranger Creed in all that he did. This remained true in his final act of uncommon valor and selflessness that morning; SFC Christopher A. Celiz lived the words Never Shall I Fail My Comrades.
