NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense
No. 966-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2006
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Private First Class Christopher T. Riviere, 21, of Cooper City, Florida, died September 26, 2006, of wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
28 September 2006:
A Marine from Cooper City died from wounds he suffered while conducting combat operations in Iraq, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.
Private First Class Christopher T. Riviere, 21, died Tuesday of wounds he received in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, the Department said.
“We weren’t even used to him being over there, and then we get this news,” said Connie Pie, his aunt.
Riviere was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
“Christopher was an awesome kid. He is an awesome kid,” Pie said.
Riviere had been a Marine for barely a year and had spent only nine days in his tour of duty.
“What we do know is that he was just standing guard somewhere. He had his full armor on, and he got hit by sniper bullets,” Pie said.
His aunt said Riviere always dreamed of serving his country.
“Chris always wanted to do the best that he could do. He wanted to excel, and he felt that being in the Marines was his way of doing that,” Pie said. “He was just very, very proud of himself.”
September has been a difficult month for South Florida military families. Riviere is the third serviceman from the area to die this month in Iraq.
Family members said Riviere’s loss is difficult, but they do not blame anyone.
“He wasn’t forced. He wasn’t drafted. He wasn’t made to go. He went because that’s what he wanted to do,” Pie said.
Before he went away to serve in the military, Riviere told his family that one day he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with the rest of the nation’s war heroes. His family will now carry out his wishes.
Marine Private First Class Christopher T. Riviere was in Iraq for less than a month.
He had finished boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina, then was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In September, he went to Iraq.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Riviere’s death.
He died on Tuesday during combat in Al Anbar province. Riviere was providing security when he was shot, according to his base in Hawaii.
Aunt Connie Pie said a sniper killed Riviere.
”It doesn’t even feel real right now,” Pie said.
Friends and family filled Riviere’s Cooper City home on Wednesday night. His black Chevy truck still sat in the front driveway, a U.S. Marine Corps sticker on the back window.
”He wanted to be something, and he loved his country. He was a good kid, and this was a great opportunity. Back then, we thought so anyway,” Pie said.
Riviere had celebrated his 21st birthday oCooper City Marine was killed by sniper in Iraq while providing security
By Hemmy So
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted September 29 2006
A long-range sniper bullet fatally pierced the chest of a 21-year-old Cooper City Marine in Iraq on Tuesday, the man’s relatives said.
The gunfire hit Pfc. Christopher Riviere while he was providing security in Al Anbar province, military officials announced.
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“He had no chance to take out his weapon and defend himself,” said Connie Pie, Riviere’s aunt. “He got shot by a madman. No, even worse — a coward.”
He died after being transported to a military hospital in Kuwait, family members said.
Marine spokesman 1st Lt. Binford Strickland called the incident “random,” saying that even when military personnel are in areas considered low risk, they can be attacked.
Riviere had served in Iraq for just nine days.
At least 30 service members from South Florida have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002. This month alone, three South Floridans have fallen in Iraq.
Riviere, known as “Kiki” to his family, belonged to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Expeditionary Force, based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Nicknamed the “Island Warriors,” the group was sent to replace another battalion that suffered two casualties on its way out of the province, Strickland said.
Riviere’s death was the first casualty in Iraq for the Island Warriors, Strickland said.
Friends and neighbors in Cooper City knew the Marine as a good-natured, responsible young man who viewed military service as an honorable way to better his life.
He signed up for the Marine Corps about a year ago. Since then, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also earned a Purple Heart.
The Marine Corps is helping Riviere’s family plan his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Pie said. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in South Florida, but no details will be made public, she said.
n August 8, 2006.
Riviere graduated from Cooper City High School in 2004. After trying both work and college, he decided to enlist in the Marines, Pie said. He joined in September 2005.
And Riviere was proud of being in the Marine Corps, correcting anyone who confused it with another branch of the military.
He even chastened his aunt when, during a phone conversation, she mimicked what she thought was the Marine call. ‘He said, `You’re doing it wrong. That’s the Army call,’ ” Pie said.
Riviere went to the Hawaii base in March 2006.
He loved following the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes.
He always made sure to keep an eye on his two little sisters, ages 10 and 14, Pie said, acting like a protector and second father when dad wasn’t home.
”He was an all-around good kid. Never in trouble,” Pie said.
His family, friends and girlfriend had still been trying to grapple with Riviere even being in Iraq, Pie said. On Wednesday, they made his final arrangements, Pie said.
Riviere will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Pie said.
”Unfortunately,” she said, “his life was just beginning.”
Cooper City Marine was killed by sniper in Iraq while providing security
29 September 2006
A long-range sniper bullet fatally pierced the chest of a 21-year-old Cooper City Marine in Iraq on Tuesday, the man’s relatives said.
The gunfire hit Private First Class Christopher Riviere while he was providing security in Al Anbar province, military officials announced.
“He had no chance to take out his weapon and defend himself,” said Connie Pie, Riviere’s aunt. “He got shot by a madman. No, even worse — a coward.”
He died after being transported to a military hospital in Kuwait, family members said.
Marine spokesman First Lieutenant Binford Strickland called the incident “random,” saying that even when military personnel are in areas considered low risk, they can be attacked.
Riviere had served in Iraq for just nine days.
At least 30 service members from South Florida have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002. This month alone, three South Floridans have fallen in Iraq.
Riviere, known as “Kiki” to his family, belonged to the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Expeditionary Force, based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Nicknamed the “Island Warriors,” the group was sent to replace another battalion that suffered two casualties on its way out of the province, Strickland said.
Riviere’s death was the first casualty in Iraq for the Island Warriors, Strickland said.
Friends and neighbors in Cooper City knew the Marine as a good-natured, responsible young man who viewed military service as an honorable way to better his life.
He signed up for the Marine Corps about a year ago. Since then, he received the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also earned a Purple Heart.
The Marine Corps is helping Riviere’s family plan his funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, Pie said. A memorial service will be held for family and friends in South Florida, but no details will be made public, she said.
Riviere is survived by his mother and stepfather, Margaret and James Lomba, and two younger sisters.
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Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard