Washington, DC…The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Andrew Celiz, 32, from Summerville, South Carolina, died, July 12, in Afghanistan, of wounds sustained as a result of enemy small arms fire while conducting operations in support of a medical evacuation landing zone in Zurmat district, Paktiya province. The incident is under investigation.

Celiz was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

For more information regarding Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz, media may contact Lt. Col. Robert M. Bockholt, US Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs, at (910) 494-1589 or Matthew.bockholt@socom.mil.