Christopher P. Messer dies of injuries from I.E.D.

Two Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team were killed in Iraq Dec. 27 when they were attacked by an improvised explosive device during a combat patrol.

Sgt. Christopher P. Messer and Pfc. Nathaniel A. Given were both assigned to Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, also known as the 'Polar Bears.'

Messer and Given deployed with their unit to Iraq in August 2006.

Sgt. Christopher P. Messer, 28, was an infantryman assigned to Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.

A native of Petersburg, Mich., Messer enlisted in the Army in February 2003 and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga. In October 2003 he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment at Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, Germany.

In July 2005, he was reassigned to 4-31 Inf. at Fort Drum.

Messer participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 to March 2005.

His military education includes the Warrior Leader Course and the Combat Livesaver Course.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with 'V' device, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Driver Badge.

From Black Anthem