Soldiers pay tribute to former leader
It’s terrible any time a U.S. soldier is killed while fighting for his country. Family and friends feel the pain and sorrow more than anyone, but we’re all affected.
To think that someone gave his life, especially a local man, for his fellow countrymen is always heartbreaking.
So it was with the recent news that 1st Sgt. Christopher C. Rafferty died recently while serving in Afghanistan. A member of the 37th Engineer Battalion from Fort Bragg, N..C., he was killed in a surprise mortar attack. Hit with shrapnel, he fell forward on his face, lost consciousness and died on his way to medical treatment.
What made Rafferty’s death even more tragic was that he seemed like such a good person. Married with two daughters, he served as the best man last year when his mother and stepfather, Sandra and Michael Hustava of Brownsville, renewed their vows after 25 years of marriage.
Rafferty had joined the service at the age of 17 after graduating from Beth-Center High School and made the military his life. His mother said he especially loved the soldiers who served under him. In fact, she said he was hit by shrapnel in the back of his neck while checking to make sure all of his men had survived the mortar attack.
The respect and affection apparently wasn’t a one-way street. In the aftermath of Rafferty’s death, our Web site heraldstandard.com has received numerous comments from soldiers who served under his command.
One of the features of our Web site is that readers can respond immediately to stories. As more and more people are coming to our Web site, this feature is gaining in popularity. We had more postings than ever before in response to the stories about Rafferty’s death.
Some of the comments were very touching, and I thought I would share them with our readers out there who didn’t see them on the Web site.
The recent death of A true N.C.O.
I served with A Co. 82nd ENG for 3 years under the true values of a great command. 1sg Rafferty was a great leader and soldier. His wisdom and guidance have set standards in my life I will never forget. I served as a mechanic with A Co, As well as a back up gunner for 1sg. I hope all his peers look up to him even now and carry on his legacy. As an N.C.O. I will strive harder to set an example for my peers. You will be missed 1SG.
Sgt Stanley Dodson, Fort Drum, N.Y.
1st Sgt Rafferty
1st Sgt Rafferty was an awesome guy, he was always about his soldiers, I always knew when he was trying to get my attention,because he would yell HEY ARNOLD. He was a true leader and I sure wish more leaders in the Army were like him. He will be missed.
SPC Pringle (Arnold), Fort Campbell Ky.
A great Soldier, mentor, and friend
I only had the opportunity to work with 1SG Rafferty for about one year while my platoon was attached to his company during our deployment to Iraq from FEB 04 to MAR 05. As a relatively fresh lieutenant, 1SG Rafferty showed me what the NCO corps was about and was eager to pass on to me many lessons that to make me a better and more understanding leader. Aside from being a mentor, 1SG Rafferty was someone I enjoyed talking and joking with during my down time. From serenading him with the song “Wind Beneath my Wings” during a mandatory fun event (in which it was mandated that all platoon sergeants and platoon leaders and above would sing a karaoke song), to getting into a testosterone driven kiwi eating competition over who was more manly, to even the more serious aspects of being deployed to Iraq.
The memory of 1SG Rafferty will continue to live strong within me. 1SG Rafferty’s dedication to his soldiers, positive attitude, and solid moral fortitude was constantly reflected in the mood and morale of the company. Above all, it was obvious that he cared deeply for the soldiers under him. He will be sorely missed by all of those who have ever worked with him.
Cpt. Victor G. Philippi,
Platoon Leader 4th Platoon, A company, 82nd Engineer Battalion
Vilseck, Germany
Deepest Sympathy
Our son Captain James B. Pence, served with Chris is Iraq, 82nd Engineers. The sad news of Chris’s passing came to us through our son this past weekend. To our son, Chris was the best of the best. His support and friendship, his commitment to family, and love of the military were some of the thoughts shared with us by our son Jim.
Terry Pence, Lusby, Md.
True Leader
First Sergeant Rafferty was a true leader. He was a 7-foot giant with an oversized heart, trapped in a 5′ 6′ man’s body.
Craig Willey, Germany
2nd Platoon Sergeant / A Company / 82nd Engineer Battalion
Rafferty remembered
There are very few men that are walking this Earth right now that I would consider to be a mentor to me. As a matter of fact there are only three. 1SG Rafferty was one of those great men. I didn’t have the honor of meeting him until I went to Iraq as a Mechanized Armored Platoon Sergeant (Infantry and Armor mix) attached to his Engineer Company, WOW! What a combination! From the beginning 1SG made his intentions clear, that we belonged to him and he belonged to us. He would always take care of us no matter what, but he expected the same in return.
There was no question and answer period, just a man of his word. There are only two men that I would even consider emulating myself after. Now I am back to one. 1SG was fair and but challenging. 1SG was mean as a snake! He even came with a bite! But as caring as a father figure could ever be. He saw no branch of service, just soldiers that were entrusted to his care and he took his charge with deadly seriousness. It was no surprise to read about his action in Afghanistan, he always put his soldiers first. I will always miss him in my heart. My deepest sympathy to his family. Know that he died doing what he did best, “Taking care of his soldiers!’
SFC Rodney K. Morant, Fort Knox, Ky.
First Sgt Christopher Rafferty
I live in central Pennsylvania but my son was serving with Sgt. Rafferty and I want the family somehow to know how much he admired him. My son was at Sharana and is now in Qalat, Afghanistan. I know the men with him will miss him greatly.
Gail Bloom, Sunbury Pa.
1SG Rafferty
1SG Rafferty was one of best persons I have had the opportunity to meet in the military. I met him when I was assigned to 82nd Engineers. He was a caring individual not only about what he did but also his soldiers, including his maintenance team. If you had a question he had the answer. He was never too busy to talk and he most always had a workable solution to the problem.
SSG Cox,Viola J., Camp Taji, Iraq
Mark O’Keefe is the executive editor of the Herald-Standard. O’Keefe can be reached at mo’keefe@heraldstandard.com or by phone at 724-439-7569.