Kristoffer Domeij
Kristoffer Domeij | |
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Birth name | Kristoffer Bryan Domeij |
Born | Santa Ana, California, US | October 5, 1982
Died | October 22, 2011 Kandahar Province, Afghanistan | (aged 29)
Buried | Woodlawn Cemetery in Lacey, Washington |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 2001–2011 |
Rank | ![]() |
Unit | ![]() ![]() |
Battles/wars | Global War on Terrorism |
Children | 2 |
Kristoffer Bryan Domeij (October 5, 1982 – October 22, 2011) was a United States Army soldier who is recognized as the U.S. soldier with the most deployments to be killed in action; before his death he had fourteen deployments over ten years. He served four deployments in Iraq and at least nine in Afghanistan; he trained as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller and was recognized as epitomizing the Ranger motto "Rangers lead the way".[1][A] After a distinguished and highly decorated career, he was killed by a roadside improvised explosive device, along with two other Rangers, in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.[1][9][10] The Joint Fires Observer classroom building at Fort Sill is named in his honor.[7] He and three other rangers are honored by the Army with a memorial obelisk. A film was made in his memory.[11]
Early life and education
Born in Santa Ana, California, he graduated from Rancho Bernardo High School in 2001 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 2001.[1][12]
Career
After graduating from the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), sometimes called the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP), Domeij was assigned to C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in 2002 where he served as a Forward Observer. He also served in Headquarters and Headquarters Company as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (one of the first Rangers to be so qualified) and B Company as the Fire Support Noncommissioned Officer, and again in HHC as the Battalion Fires Support Noncommissioned Officer;[1][12] ordinarily a position "reserved for Air Force airmen who serve with ground combat units and call in airstrikes from fighters or bombers flying overhead."[4][B]
His military education included "Basic Airborne Course, the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program, the Warrior Leader’s Course, the Advanced Leader’s Course, the Senior Leader’s Course, U.S. Army Ranger Course, Jumpmaster School, Pathfinder School, Joint Firepower Control Course, and Joint Fires Observer Course."[1] He served for ten years.[1]
With 14 deployments, Domeij is the US soldier with the most deployments to be killed in action.[4] The previous highest total was 12. A Ranger battalion typically conducts "400 - 500 missions during a combat deployment."[9]
The relevant factors are not just length and frequency of deployments for special operators. As Mother Jones noted:
"... as members of the SPECOPS community, Rangers handle their deployments differently from regular Army and Marine line units. By his estimation, Sgt. 1st Class Domeij likely spent closer to four or more years in the war zones, not including pre- and post-deployment training. And as our reader points out, it’s not just the time you do, but what you do in that time: The 75th Ranger Regiment typically deploys on 105-day deployments, i.e. a little longer than three months. What they lack in calendar length is made up in intensity: they typically conduct an operation every single night of their deployments with few exceptions. That someone has been deployed 14 times is mortifying and sad, especially in this case."[8]
Mother Jones noted that Domeij's willingness to selflessly serve his country may be transcended by the question "whether this country is abusing its fit young people’s sense of commitment."[8]
Rangers are among the U.S. Army's elite special operations forces. Domeij was one of the soldiers who helped rescue Private First Class Jessica Lynch in Iraq in 2003. Domeij was also one of the first U.S. Army ground soldiers qualified to coordinate Air Force and Navy air attacks as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller.[4] He was one of three soldiers killed by a roadside bomb near Kandahar Province on October 22, 2011.[4]
During Domeij's many deployments, he was often involved in "ferocious, close-quarters fighting."[5] According to the American Broadcasting Company, for elite Rangers, tours are a "constant churn" of combat missions that are very intense.[9]
That he was killed despite his experience inflicted a loss and a psychological trauma on his unit members.[8] Lieutenant Ashley White, 24, a cultural support specialist, and Pvt. 1st Class Christopher Horns, 20, who was on his first war tour were killed in the same incident. This reflects the mix of the 2nd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment. A former Ranger commented online: "A young line Ranger on his first deployment, a seasoned [leadership] Ranger on his 14th and a female Officer as part of the overall assault force. Things have certainly taken a turn for the surreal." Another trenchantly added: "2nd Batt is not having a good rotation."[8] According to Jeff Carpenter, his former football coach, Domeij would not have been pleased being in the spotlight, even upon his death.[13]
Media
In 2019, filmmaker Devin Graham filmed a documentary of his visit to Normandy with a team of Special Forces soldiers, veterans, and Gold Star Mother Scoti Domeij, the mother of Kristoffer Domeij, to honor the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The film honored the sacrifice, life and loss of Kristoffer Domeij and debuted on Veterans Day 2019.[C][11] The groups' parachute jump from a WWII aircraft was 'to honor the life of Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer Domeij.'[11] The forty minute documentary film debuted on YouTube, went on to film festivals. It is entitled HERE I AM, SEND ME.[11]
Legacy
Domeji has been honored in several memorials:
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Memorial_ceremony_110208-A-VH247-001.jpg/170px-Memorial_ceremony_110208-A-VH247-001.jpg)
- The Joint Fires Observer classroom building at Fort Sill is named in honor of Sgt. 1st Class Domeij.[7]
- A memorial obelisk is displayed after the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment memorial ceremony at the battalion's headquarters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, February 8, 2011. The names of the fallen Rangers Sgt. Tyler Holtz, Spc. Ricardo Cerros Jr., Pfc. Christopher Horns and Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer Domeij are now memorialized on the obelisk.[15]
- The epitaph on his headstone quotes The Book of Isaiah 6:8:
Then I hear the voice of the Lord come out saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am, send me!"[16]
- "Tyrant-22," his radio call sign, became the appellation of a Belgian blonde beer.[14][17] His call sign has been appropriated by a firearms manufacturer for one of its tactical weapons.[18]
Personal
Domeij was survived by his spouse, Sarah, and two daughters.[1] He is also survived by his brother Kyle and his mother Scoti.[14][11][3]
Awards and decorations
He earned numerous awards, decorations and badges.[D]
Badges and tabs
- Combat Action Badge
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Ranger Tab
- Senior Parachutist Badge
- Pathfinder Badge
- Eight Overseas Service Bars
- Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge
Decorations
- Bronze Star Medal with valor device
- Purple Heart
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf clusters
- Army Achievement Medal
Service medals and ribbons
- Good Conduct Medal with three loops
- National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Gold Stars
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 4
- NATO Medal (ISAF)
See also
References
Notes
- ^ "CBS News says, 'while Domeij may have rotated to the conflict zones 14 times in the last 10 years, it does not necessarily mean he was actively fighting for a vast majority of the last decade. It does, however, mean that there are probably few other soldiers who have seen more combat for the U.S. military in recent years.'[1][2] It is of course true that he was a voluntary soldier who served in an elite special operations community – "Rangers lead the way" is their motto.[1] However, Mother Jones adds that Domeij's deployments probably lasted a little more than 3 months each time — meaning he likely spent about 4 years in the war zone."[3][4][5][6][7][8]
- ^ Colonel Mark W. Odom, commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Odom offered a succinct testimonial saying that Domeij was "the prototypical special operations NCO" whose abilities as a JTAC "made him a game changer on the battlefield—an operator who in real terms had the value of an entire strike force on the battlefield."[4] Echoing that sentiment, Battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Hodne said: "This was a Ranger you wanted at your side when the chips were down... He is irreplaceable - in our formation and in our hearts."[9] is unique. In Domeij's case, that translates to a man whom his unit commander described as "irreplaceable" – on the battlefield and in life. Hodne also said, "He was one of those men who known by all as much for his humor, enthusiasm and loyal friendship as he was for his unparalleled skill and bravery under fire."[13] Colonel Odom said he was "the prototypical special operations" leader whose special skills—he was one of the first soldiers qualified to coordinate Air Force and Navy air attacks from his ground position—made him a hot commodity in the war zones. Domeij, he said, was a "veteran of a decade of deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan and hundreds of combat missions."[8]
- ^ At the "American Cemetery and Memorial on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach. Rangers, Green Berets, family, and friends sipped a Belgian blonde beer called Tyrant-22, named for Kristoffer’s call sign, and watched the magic of C-47 Skytrains taking off into the partly cloudy skies over France."[14]
- ^ Per the service command: "His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge and the U.S. Army Expert Rifle Marksmanship Qualification Badge.
"He has also been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with three loops, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three campaign stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral three, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Ribbon with numeral four.
"He will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal."[1][3]
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "SGT. 1ST CLASS KRISTOFFER BRYAN DOMEIJ: Killed in action on October 22, 2011 2011 Operation Enduring Freedom" (PDF). 75th Ranger Battalion U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ Snow, Don (November 13, 2009). "implications of the All Volunteer Force". New Atlanticist. Atlantic Council. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Memmott, Mark (October 26, 2011). "AMERICA: Army Ranger On 14th Deployment Killed In Afghanistan". National Public Radio. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Martinez, Luis; Caron, Christine (October 25, 2011). "Army Ranger Dies On 14th Deployment". ABC. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer Domeij served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- ^ a b Dreazen, Yochi J. "For Elite U.S. Troops, War's End Will Only Mean More Fighting". The Atlantic. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
According to Lt. Col. Tom Bryant, a spokesman for the Army Special Operations Command: "We're getting real close to double-digit deployments across a number of different formations ... Those numbers are becoming increasingly common and will be even more the norm down the road."
- ^ Kovach, Gretel C. (October 27, 2011). "MILITARY: Ranger from San Diego died on 14th tour". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c Sherman, Ben (January 10, 2013). "Building dedicated to fallen hero". Fort Sill Cannoneer. Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Weinstein, Adam (October 25, 2011). "Army Ranger Dies on 14th War Deployment". Mother Jones. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Flock, Elizabeth (October 27, 2011). "National: Army Ranger Kristoffer Domeij killed in action on 14th Deployment". Washington Post. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ "Kristoffer B. Domeij, 29". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 25, 2021.(subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e "Viral Filmmaker Honors Life of America's Most Deployed Soldier Killed in Action". Soldier Systems. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "Sgt. 1st Class Kristoffer Bryan Domeij". leadtheway.org.[dead link]
- ^ a b Botelho, Greg (October 28, 2011). "Army Ranger, 29, killed in Afghanistan on 14th deployment". CNN. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- ^ a b c McGurk, Marshall (November 21, 2019). "Inside the Premiere of Here Am I, Send Me". The Havok Journal. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- ^ Tinsay, Rafael, Photographer (February 8, 2011). "Memorial ceremony JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES". Defense Imagery Management Operations Center. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Isaiah 6:8. Photograph of headstone, Robert Erling Domeij and Kristoffer Domeij
- ^ Tyrant 22 - Narrows Brewing Company@untappd.com
- ^ "Tyrant 22". S.W.O.R.D. International. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
External links
- "Here Am I, Send Me – [Full Documentary]" (Film). November 11, 2019 – via YouTube.
- Kristoffer Diomeij at Find a Grave. Buried next to his father Robert Erling Domeij.
- Tinsay, Rafael, Photographer (February 8, 2011). "Gallery, Memorial ceremony JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES". Defense Imagery Management Operations Center. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)