Pantos, Christopher Feild

Also known as: SSG, FORWARD DET 1, HHC, 55TH SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE, FORT BELVOIR, VA

Combatant

Male Verified

DiedApril 26, 2021

Age55 years old

Location of DeathALI AL SALEM AIR BASE, KUWAIT

Cause of DeathNon-combat related incident (as announced by the Department of Defense)

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Staff Sergeant Christopher Feild Pantos, 55, of Richmond, Virginia, was a U.S. Army Reserve soldier who died on April 26, 2021, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait while serving in Operation Inherent Resolve.

Their Story

Staff Sergeant Christopher Feild Pantos was a 55-year-old soldier from Richmond, Virginia, serving with the U.S. Army Reserve. He was assigned to Forward Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 55th Sustainment Brigade, based out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His unit was deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations in support of the international coalition against ISIS.

Pantos died on April 26, 2021, at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. The Department of Defense announced his death the following day, stating he died from a non-combat related incident. The specific circumstances of the incident were not detailed in the initial release. Ali Al Salem is a major logistics and air hub for U.S. and coalition forces operating in the region.

Pantos was serving under Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. By the time of his death in 2021, the mission had largely shifted from major combat operations, following the territorial defeat of the ISIS caliphate in 2019, to an advise, assist, and enable role focused on supporting local partner forces. The conflict, however, continued with sporadic insurgent attacks.

The Army did not release further details on the investigation into Pantos's death. He was survived by his family in Virginia. His death was noted by military officials as a loss to the 55th Sustainment Brigade and the broader Army Reserve community.

Staff Sergeant Pantos was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his service. His name is inscribed on the Memorial Wall at the Army Reserve?s Fort Belvoir headquarters, honoring soldiers from the brigade who died while deployed.