L8Apex.com
A
memorial service was held on June 22, 2005, to remember four
Combined Joint Special
Operations Task
Force-Afghanistan soldiers who were killed in action
supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Army Capt.
Charles Robinson, Sgt. 1st Class Victor Cervantes, Staff Sgt.
Leroy Alexander and Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper were honored
at the ceremony. Combined Joint Special Operations Task
Force-Afghanistan photo.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, June 24, 2005 - Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan honored four Special Forces soldiers who were killed in action in eastern Afghanistan. The soldiers were remembered during a sunset memorial service June 22.
U.S. Army Capt. Charles Robinson and Staff Sgt. Leroy Alexander were killed in action June 3, 2005, when they were attacked by hostile forces by a remotely detonated improvised explosive device in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Christopher Piper was severely wounded in action during the same improvised explosive device strike. Piper passed away as a result of his wounds at the Army Burn Center, Fort Sam Houston, June 16. Sgt. 1st Class Victor Cervantes was killed in action June 10 while responding to Coalition Forces in contact with the enemy in the vicinity of Paktika Province.
All four soldiers were killed while conducting their assigned tasks during operations in the Paktika Province.
"These warriors exemplified personal courage, unwavering values, commitment and selfless service. They were willing to lay it all on the line to secure the American way of life and to free others from oppression," said the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan commander.
Robinson, Cervantes, Alexander and Piper were honored with "Taps," sharp salutes, and a prayer. The ceremony ended with a final Benediction, "Ballad of the Green Berets" and individuals rendering final respects.
His awards and decorations include: the Army
Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Unit
Commendation, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service
Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces
Reserve Medal with "M" Device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon,
Army Service Ribbon, the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the
Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the
Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star
Medal, Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the
Afghanistan Campaign Medal.
| Remembering Pipes |
|---|
|
It is not the critic who
counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or
where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat . People sleep peaceably in
their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do
violence on their behalf.
Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Piper 1st Battalion 7th Special Forces Group |
