Rudzinski, Christopher Michael
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant Christopher Michael Rudzinski, 28, of Rantoul, Illinois, was a U.S. Army soldier serving with the 293rd Military Police Company during Operation Enduring Freedom. He died on October 16, 2009, at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanista
Their Story
Staff Sergeant Christopher Michael Rudzinski was a 28-year-old military policeman from Rantoul, Illinois. He served on active duty with the U.S. Army's 293rd Military Police Company, a unit deployed to southern Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
On October 16, 2009, Rudzinski was killed at Kandahar Air Field, a major coalition base in Kandahar province. The Department of Defense listed the cause of his death as hostile action. Specific details of the incident that led to his death were not widely disclosed in public reports.
His death occurred during a period of intense fighting in the region. The 293rd Military Police Company was engaged in training Afghan police forces and conducting security operations, missions that frequently exposed personnel to insurgent attacks.
Rudzinski was one of at least 45 U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan during October 2009, according to casualty records. That month was among the deadliest for American forces since the conflict began in 2001.
He was posthumously promoted from the rank of Sergeant to Staff Sergeant. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart, according to military records.
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan, formally concluded in December 2014. The conflict, which began in October 2001, resulted in the deaths of over 2,300 American service members.
Explore Further
Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan in which SSG Rudzinski served, concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
