 Kristofor T. Stonesifer U.S. Army Private 1st Class 1973-2001 Missoula |
Ranger killed in Pakistan went to UM
Story courtesy of The Associated Press
MISSOULA — One of the two U.S. Army Rangers who died when a Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Pakistan started his Army career in Missoula.
Pfc. Kristofor T. Stonesifer, 28, joined the ROTC program at the University of Montana in August 1999 and continued until May 2000, when he enlisted in the Army, said Lt. Col. Jim Clegg, professor of military science and head of UM’s ROTC program.
The Army listed Stonesifer from Missoula because that’s where he enlisted, but his parents live somewhere in Pennsylvania, Clegg said.
“All I really knew was, he wanted to be the best soldier in the U.S. Army, and the best soldiers in the Army are in the ranger battalion,” Clegg said.
The Pentagon announced Sunday that Stonesifer and Spc. John J. Edmunds, 20 of Cheyenne, Wyo., were the Rangers killed in Pakistan when a Black Hawk helicopter crashed as the United States launched its attacks on terrorist strongholds in Afghanistan.
Officials would not disclose the role of the Blackhawk, although some believed it was preparing to swoop across the border into Afghanistan in the event any Rangers had to be rescued.
Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Sunday, “In war there are casualties, and it’s especially hard when it hits close to home like this. One man from Missoula and another from Wyoming have given their lives in support of a great mission to protect freedom and I am proud of their commitment to our nation. The thoughts and prayers of both Phyllis and I are with the family members.”
Clegg said Stonesifer dropped out of ROTC and enlisted in the Army because the ROTC unit was not intense enough for him.