Army Pfc. Christopher A. Horns, 20, of Colorado Springs, Colo.
Pfc Horns was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Oct. 22, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.
Lt Col David Hodne, commander of the 2nd Battalion, paid this tribute to Pfc Horns: "Courageous and disciplined, he lost his life while pressing the assault in an area known for insurgent activity. He earned the universal respect of seniors and peers alike. We will honor his service and remember his sacrifice."
Pfc Horns was an avid outdoorsman who loved to ride his dirt bike and hike. He had recently proposed to his girlfriend. He had yet to introduce his fiancée to his family. Following his father, Larry's, footsteps who served nearly 30 years in the Army and served a tour in Afghanistan near the beginning of the war, Christopher joined the Army in 2010. He served as an assistand machine gunner and automatic rifleman. This was his first deployment.
Uncle, Martin Horns, said his nephew had trained for boot camp months before he shipped out and lost about 40 pounds in the process. He qualified for Ranger school right out of boot camp, he said.
“There’s a high dropout rate but he made it through and he was so proud to be a Ranger,” Martin Horns said.
Pfc awards and decorations include:
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal for Combat Service
Army Commendation Medal for Peacetime Service
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Combat Infantry Badge
Parachutist Badge
Funeral services were held on November 5 in Calmar, IA. Patriot Guars Riders from at least three different states accompanied Horns' body from Colorado to Iowa.
Pfc Horns is survived by his parents, Tamara and Larry; and sister, Tiffany.
Army Pfc. Christopher A. Horns was killed in action on 10/22/11.
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