Effingham soldier killed in Afghanistan

Bill Grimes

Effingham County lost its first soldier last week in the U.S.-led war on terror.

U.S. Army Warrant Officer 2nd Class Christopher Brian Donaldson, 28,was one of 10 soldiers killed Friday when their CH-47 helicopter crashed in a ravine during combat operations in eastern Afghanistan. Donaldson had been attached to the 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New York.

The Associated Press reported today the helicopter had been searching a mountainous area in Kunar province along the Afghan-Pakistani border when it crashed into the ravine.

The Army reported the fatal crash was not caused by hostile fire, adding the crash occurred near a mountaintop landing site during combat operations and is being investigated. The AP added about 2,500 U.S. and Afghan soldiers are engaged in a joint military campaign in Kunar.

The Army has not officially released the names of those killed in the crash.

Donaldson, who would have been 29 on May 17, was a 1995 graduate of Effingham High School. His mother, Lynn Donaldson of Effingham, said her son joined the Army in 1997 and liked it so much he planned to be a career soldier.

“This is what he loved to do,” Mrs. Donaldson said. “He really enjoyed flying.”

Donaldson had trained to be a helicopter crewman, his mother said. But after initial exposure to the aircraft and becoming a crew chief, he decided he wanted to become a pilot.

As a result of that decision, Mrs. Donaldson said, Chris decided to make the military his career.

“To be accepted as a pilot, he had to make a five-year commitment,” she said. “By the time that commitment ended, he had nearly 10 years in and was going to stay at least 20 years.”

Donaldson received his wings in 2004. His mother said at the time of his death, her son served as a co-pilot on a CH-47, but was nearing enough flying time to earn status as a chief pilot.

Christopher Brian Donaldson was born May 17, 1977, the son of Bill and Lynn Donaldson. Mrs. Donaldson said Chris showed leadership ability at a young age.

“He was a go-getter,” she said.

Chris was a football and baseball player at Effingham High School, graduating in 1995. One of Chris’ former high school coaches remembers him as a reserved boy who excelled in athletics.

“He played baseball for me, but I didn’t really get to know him very well because he was so quiet,” said EHS counselor and former baseball coach Larry Micenheimer. He was a good football and baseball player, but so painfully quiet. “That was a good quality — sort of refreshing.”

Chris took some college courses, but didn’t really know what he wanted to do with his life before joining the Army in September 1997.

“He got in and really enjoyed it,” Mrs. Donaldson said. “He had accomplished a lot.”

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree during his military career despite overseas deployments to Germany and South Korea.

Mrs. Donaldson said her son should be remembered for his many positive qualities.

“He was a great soldier, a great brother and a great friend,” said Mrs. Donaldson. “He had a big heart and helped whoever he could.”

Grandmother Thelma Laue of Shumway recalled Chris as a boy who enjoyed fishing on his grandparents’ farm.

“Chris was our first grandchild,” Mrs. Laue said. “He was just a special person — he loved small children.”

Mrs. Laue said Christmas was always a special time for Chris.

“He would always try to take his leave around Christmas,” she said.

Mrs. Donaldson said two Army officers notified her of the death at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. She added family members would be meeting with another Army representative today to make arrangements for the transport of Chris’ body back to the United States.

Mrs. Donaldson said funeral arrangements would not be made until after today’s meeting.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 132 or bgrimes@effinghamdailynews.com

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