FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Kirkuk, Iraq— Soldiers, Airmen, Iraqi Police, and civilians gathered together to mourn the loss of Sgt. Christopher Kurth at a memorial service held in his honor at Forward Operating Base Warrior, June 10.

Kurth died June 4 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by an anti-tank hand grenade in Kirkuk city, Iraq.

His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. Kurth was awarded the Purple Heart on May 29, 2009 for an injury he sustained while on patrol in Kirkuk on April 9, 2009.

Kurth was born Aug. 9, 1985, in El Paso, Texas, but grew up in Alamogordo, N.M.

Kurth joined the Army in June 2005, and was assigned to Forward Support Company G, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, where he served as a food service specialist.

He soon deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-2008.

Kurth’s most recent deployment was to Forward Operating Base Warrior, once again with 3rd Bn., 82nd FA Regt., in early January 2009.

“A Soldier has fallen and the line holds steady,” said Lt. Col. Terry Cook, the commander of 3rd Bn., 82nd FA Regt. “This tragedy has happened and each of us must commit ourselves to doing our best, to remaining focused, and to continuing the mission, Sgt. Kurth’s mission.”

“Sgt. Kurth will be remembered for his commitment to duty, loyalty to friendship, his desire to serve his country,” said Capt. Jeffrey Quail, commander of FSC G. “He was an inspiration to all the Soldiers who had the privilege to serve with him, for he was a Soldier.”

Kurth is survived by his wife Robin of Killeen, Texas, and his father Lloyd of Alamogordo.