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Wounded Centre Hall soldier to return home from Iraq

Apr- 4-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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By Lara Brenckle

STATE COLLEGE -- A wounded soldier from Centre Hall was scheduled to be back on American soil Sunday night, days after his actions in Iraq reportedly saved the lives of several of his comrades.

Army Spc. Christopher Swales, 29, the was in critical but stable condition Sunday afternoon, hours before he was scheduled to fly from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington.

Swales was on patrol outside the northern city of Mosul with fellow members of the 25th Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade on Wednesday when they were attacked by insurgents.

The soldiers had been conducting a routine a check of a taxi when insurgents jumped out of the vehicle and began firing. During the battle, the taxi, which military officials think was rigged with explosives, blew up.

The soldiers returned fire, and Swales sustained severe wounds to his leg during the exchange, according to his mother, Gayle. However, the 1995 Penns Valley Area High School graduate was able to return fire, reportedly saving several U.S. lives.

The Iraqi insurgents, Gayle Swales was told by military officials, were killed, as was one U.S. soldier, Sgt. Kenneth L. Ridgley.

Christopher Swales' efforts, his mother was told, will earn him some type of military commendation for bravery.

Let's hope for a speedy and full recovery.


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