RIP Ranger Dona (Shirley, MA)

garandman

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OFFICIAL 75TH RANGER REGIMENT RELEASE

FORT STEWART, GA. -- A U.S. Army Ranger died during training June 13, 2013, during an airborne proficiency jump at Taylor’s 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, Paul and Maryann Dona, his sister, Melissa, and his brother, Brian, all from Dudley, Mass.
By: The 75th Ranger Regiment

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Funeral and Patriot Guard Rider information.

The family of US Army Ranger PFC Christopher Dona has requested our presence at the funeral of their beloved Christopher.

PFC Dona died at Ft Stewart, GA when he became perniciously entangled in his parachute after landing at the conclusion of a training jump. PFC Dona served in the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment based at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. He was a combat veteran who just last month returned from deployment in Afghanistan. He enlisted in the Army in 2012.

I) PFC Christopher Dona's return
We will form a flag line to be present when PFC Dona is returned home
DATE: Thursday, 20 June, 2013
LOCATION: Bartel Funeral Home, 33 Schofield Ave. (Rte 12) Dudley, MA 01571

http://tinyurl.com/k97jf8z

TIME: TBA
II) WAKE: Please attend on your own and bring your own flags
DATE/TIME: Friday, 21 June 2013 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LOCATION: TBA [Probably NOT the funeral home.]

III) FUNERAL
DATE: Saturday, 22 June, 2013
at: St Anthony's of Padua Church Dudley, MA 01571

STAGING LOCATION/TIMES: TBA
For planning purposes, the service is scheduled for 10:00 AM
Interment to follow at: St Joseph Garden of Peace Webster, MA
RIDE CAPTAIN: Rolly Gratton [email protected]
 
Rangers practice very low altitude jumps so they can be on the ground as little as 15 seconds from exit. At those altitudes there isn't time to deploy the reserve chute and they often jump without them. A hell of a way to go.
 
Rest in Peace Ranger Dona......

it's always sad when we lose some of the best of the younger generations...brave men lost.
 
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.
Rather we should thank God such men lived."


General George S. Patton Jr.



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RIP Ranger.
I read that he was found with riser cords wrapped tightly around neck.
Those investigating said they had never seen anything like it and were looking into the apparent malfunction.
 
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