Christopher W. Opat
Profile
Age: 29
From: Spencer, IA
Assigned to the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Incident: Army Spc. Christopher W. Opat died June 15 in Baqubah, Iraq of injuries sustained in a noncombat-related incident.
Died: June 15, 2010
Father: Opat wanted to make a career in Army
The Associated Press
SPENCER, Iowa — The father of a 29-year-old Iowa soldier who died in Iraq says his son was dedicated to the Army.
Spc. Christopher Opat died June 15 in Baquah, Iraq, from injuries in a noncombat incident. Military officials have launched an investigation, but offered no other details.
Opat’s body arrived in the U.S. late June 16. His family says he grew up in Lime Springs and went to Iowa Lakes Community School in Emmetsburg before enlisting in Spencer.
Opat’s father, 58-year-old Les Opat, says his son wanted to make a career in the Army.
Funeral services are being arranged by Conway Funeral Home in Cresco. A funeral home spokesman says specific plans on services hadn’t been determined....