Donaldson, Christopher Brian
Male
Verified Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Brian Donaldson, 28, of Effingham, Illinois, was a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. He was killed in action in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on May 5, 2006.
Their Story
Christopher Brian Donaldson was a 28-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 from Effingham, Illinois. He served as a pilot with Company B, 3rd Battalion, General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, part of Task Force Centaur based at Fort Drum, New York. His service included deployments to Afghanistan, the Philippines, and the Horn of Africa.
On May 5, 2006, Donaldson was piloting a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on a mission in Kunar Province, a mountainous region in eastern Afghanistan. According to U.S. military reports, the helicopter was struck by enemy fire and crashed. Donaldson was one of ten U.S. service members killed in the incident.
Donaldson's death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In 2006, the conflict was characterized by a resurgence of Taliban and insurgent activity, particularly in the volatile eastern provinces along the border with Pakistan. U.S. and coalition forces conducted frequent air assault and resupply missions in the region.
The crash that killed Donaldson and nine others was reported by major news outlets at the time. The Department of Defense issued a formal casualty announcement. A memorial service was held at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Khost, Afghanistan, according to an Army press release.
Donaldson is listed on the Illinois Fallen Heroes memorial. His name is also inscribed on Panel 06E, Line 130 of the Afghanistan War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia.
Explore Further
CW2 Donaldson was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001?2014). The conflict 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.
