Christopher Dona - U.S. Military

Pfc. Christopher Dona, age 21, of Dudley, Massachusetts, died in the line of duty on June 13, 2013, at Fort Stewart, in southeast Georgia.

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

Chris was undergoing parachute training. He 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.

Cords and straps found around his neck may have strangled him during the jump. The incident is under investigation.

Chris graduated from Shepherd Hill Regional High School. He enlisted in the Army in early 2012.

He had just returned last month from his first deployment to Afghanistan.

Military officials describe Chris as the kind of Ranger everyone wants by their side in a tough situation. They also stated: 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.

He was also described as an excellent Ranger who consistently displayed great courage and strength - a true warrior.

Chris is survived by many loving friends, comrades and relatives including his

Angels of God, pray for Chris

parents, Paul and Maryann; his sister, Melissa; and his brother, Brian.

Thank you for serving, Chris.

Pray for the 21 year olds who die in the line of duty. Yesterday, they were just boys. Amen.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen.

Pray that Chris is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.