Marine Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle

Remember Our Heroes

Marine Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle, 29, of Dallastown, Pa.

Sgt. Wrinkle was assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 31, 2011 in Herat province, Afghanistan, while supporting combat operations. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Patrick R. Dolphin and Sgt. Dennis E. Kancler.


Sgt Wrinkle graduated from Dallastown High School in 2001.

Dallastown Area High School Principal Alan Fauth said he served as assistant principal when Wrinkle attended the school. He recalled Wrinkle as a mature student, who, on occasion asked Fauth in the hallway how his day was going. "He was a nice kid; he was concerned about others," he said.

Patti Bream, assistant pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Dallastown, where Wrinkle and his family attended church, said, "He was a wonderful young man. He was very caring. He had a very strong faith in God."

Bream said that, when Wrinkle was younger, he was involved in the church's children's choir and, later, its junior and senior youth programs.

She said that since hearing of Wrinkle's death, the church has reached out to its members through a phone prayer chain.

"I think the majority of people are still in shock," Bream said. "He was such a wonderful young man, and people had such respect for him. It's hard to understand. We are, as a congregation, proud of his dedication to our country, and we will sorely miss him."

The Rev. Lawrence Cunnings, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, released a statement after Wrinkle's death:

"Christ Lutheran Church has been blessed to have Chris Wrinkle as a member of our church. He has shown exemplary and outstanding service to his country over the past 10 years serving in all major conflicts that have occurred in that time period, oftentimes more than once. We grieve at the tragic loss of this son of our congregation. We express our condolences to his family and friends."

Dallastown Area High School Principal Alan Fauth said he served as assistant principal when Wrinkle attended the school. He recalled Wrinkle as a mature student, who, on occasion asked Fauth in the hallway how his day was going. "He was a nice kid; he was concerned about others," he said.

A member of Wrinkle’s unit struggled to find words to describe the bond shared by Sgt. Wrinkle and his beloved canine partner, Tosca. They were inseparable.


A fellow Sergeant said that when the fire broke out in their Herat province barracks, Wrinkle called out for him. When he answered and Wrinkle knew he was safe, his colleague watched as Wrinkle turned back, disappearing into the fire in a search for his partner. It was the last time he was seen alive – both he and Tosca perished in the blaze.

Wrinkle’s colleague says he knew exactly what Wrinkle was doing when he ran back into that burning building, trying to save Tosca He took a chance on his own life to get her. "Chris died a hero.”

The pews at Christ Lutheran Church in Dallastown were full Tuesday, with many of Wrinkle’s brothers from the Corps in attendance. To the right of Wrinkle’s casket sat a smaller vessel – containing the remains of Tosca.

Marine Sgt. Christopher M. Wrinkle was killed in action on 7/31/11.