Remembering Rangers Who Have Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

    Christopher P. Dona
    Christopher P. Dona
    Private First Class
    Christopher P. Dona
    Company D, 1st Battalion
    75th Ranger Regiment
    June 13, 2013

    Information and Sentiments

    In Rememberance

    RELEASE NUMBER: 130615-01
    DATE POSTED: JUNE 15, 2013

    PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Army Ranger died during training
    FORT STEWART, GA. (USASOC News Service, June 15, 2013)—A U.S. Army Ranger died during training June 13, 2013, during an airborne proficiency jump at Taylors Creek Drop Zone.

    Pfc. Christopher P. Dona, 21, was found on the drop zone unconscious and without a pulse. Ranger medics and Fort Stewart emergency medical response technicians were unable to revive him.

    The incident is under investigation.

    Dona was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., as an automatic rifleman.

    “Chris was an excellent Ranger who consistently displayed great courage and strength – a true warrior,” said Lt. Col. Robert J. Harman, Commander of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “He was the kind of Ranger everyone wants by their side in a tough situation. Above all, Chris was the epitome of what we expect of our Rangers – a quiet professional with unmatched selfless service. He will forever be part of this unit and an inspiration for the Rangers of today and those yet to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dona Family.”
    A native of Dudley, Mass., Dona returned from his first deployment to Afghanistan last month.

    “A superior Ranger, combat veteran, and extraordinary American, Pfc. Chris Dona represented our Nation’s best,” said Col. Mark W. Odom, Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

    Dona was born March 11, 1992, in Dudley, Mass. and graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School. After he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 2012, Dona completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program also at Fort Benning.

    Dona graduated from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program and was then assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in August 2012.

    His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course and the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program.

    His awards and decorations include the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge.

    Dona has also been awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
    He will be posthumously awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

    Dona is survived by his parents.

    For further questions, please contact the 75th Ranger Regiment Public Affairs Office at (706) 570-5091.