Politics & Government
Chief Petty Officer From Coronado Unit Dies of Afghanistan Injuries
Christian M. Pike died in Germany while undergoing treatment three days after being struck down in combat.
Chief Petty Officer Christian Michael Pike, 31, of Peoria, Ariz., died Wednesday in Germany, three days after he was injured in combat in Afghanistan.
Pike died in Landstuhl, Germany, “as a result of combat-related injuries sustained on March 10,” according to a Thursday news release from the Department of Defense.
He was participating in stability operations in Maiwand District, Afghanistan, the DOD said.
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Pike was part of a Coronado-based Naval Special Warfare team. According to the Los Angeles Times, he was a cryptologic technician, who had been in the Navy since December 2001.
On the SEAL of Honor Facebook page, Pike was wished “fair winds and following seas.”
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The @War_Casualties Twitter account posted Pike's photo, while Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer tweeted that her state should join her “in prayer” for Pike, his loved ones and Navy peers.
This story has been amended to reflect Pike's correct status in the Navy.
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