JEFFERSONVILLE —
Mourners gathered Thursday evening at Scott Funeral Home to remember the life of Jeffersonville native Christopher Shane Wright, who was killed Aug. 19 in Pech, Afghanistan.
Wright, 23, joined the U.S. Army in 2005 and was on his third deployment to the Middle East, having already served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He suffered fatal wounds when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.
Wright was assigned to the Charlie Company 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Rademacher said the Rangers usually operate in darkness, tracking down high-ranking members of terror groups. He said the other Rangers credit Wright for no other casualties that night.
“He made the decision to put himself in harm’s way,” Rademacher said. “Thanks to the bravery of Chris, no other Rangers were lost.”
Rademacher said Wright was aware of the danger but placed the lives of others ahead of his own.
“If he had the chance to go back to that night, I don’t think he would do anything differently,” Rademacher said.
Congressman Baron Hill praised Wright for his dedication to his country.
“He wanted to make this country and this world a safer place, and he will be remembered,” Hill said.
Wright attended Sacred Heart of Jesus in Jeffersonville and New Washington Junior High. He graduated from Lewis County High School in Vanceburg, Ky.
Three of Wright’s former teachers at Sacred Heart also spoke at the service.
Sherry Wade, his second-grade teacher, said he was small for his age but was “smart, spunky and funny.” She said he was very protective of his younger sister, and he later used that same attitude in defending his country.
Wade said she lost touch with Wright as he got older until she saw his brother at a dinner three years ago. She asked his brother to provide her with Wright’s address so her class at the time could write him letters of support.
Wright even came back and spoke to several classes at the school.
Lynne Evanczyk, Wright’s eighth-grade teacher, recalled the speech he gave to her class on his return.
“He did not glamorize war. He was very serious and filled with purpose,” she said. “He was proud he was helping the people of Iraq.”
Wright received numerous awards during his career and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He was described as being very active, enjoying snowboarding and horseback riding. He was a member of the Boy Scouts when he was younger and earned a purple belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Wright will be buried in East Fork Cemetery in Vanceburg.
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Related Photos
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United States Army honor guard members Sgt. Patrick Minard, left, and Sgt. Deborah Bennett fold a flag for presentation to Linda Wright-Dennis, mother of Spc. Christopher Shane Wright, at his funeral service Thursday evening at Scott Funeral Home's North Chapel. Staff photo by C.E. Branham
Discussion
Family, friends remember life of soldier killed in Afghanistan
Christopher Wright praised for service to his country
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