Army Major Christopher J. Splinter - Wisconsin Military Casualty Compilation - Afghanistan/Iraq

6 September 2011

Army Major Christopher J. Splinter - Wisconsin Military Casualty Compilation - Afghanistan/Iraq

This entry was posted on 9/6/2011 1:30 AM and is filed under Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation.

    Army Major Christopher Jon Splinter, 43, Platteville, Wisconsin, died Wednesday, December 24, 2003, near Samarra, Iraq. He was killed when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (roadside bomb) on Highway 1 outside Samarra which lies north of Baghdad. He was one of three soldiers killed in the attack. Major Splinter was assigned to Headquarters Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade, based out of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

    The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes Major Splinter had indicated he was confident. "Iraq would one day be a model state in the Middle East." And he believe, "The war was a just cause." The Journal Sentinel went on to note Splinter had seven sisters and four brothers. He was the third-oldest child and second-oldest son. Splinter graduated from Platteville High School in 1979. He had been named All-Conference in football and track. After high school he earned a degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and had been in the ROTC program. The Journal Sentinel noted Splinter married his high school sweetheart, Penny (Barton) Splinter in 1985. They had been married for 18 years. Splinter graduated from UW-Platteville and earned his military officer commission in 1990 as a second lieutenant; and, had remained on active duty in the Army since that time. Splinter had left for Iraq in July of 2003. 

    The Web site iagenweb.org posted articles from the Telegraph Herald out of Dubuque, Iowa that indicated that when he was younger he had worked as a mechanic for a time at CB&C in Cuba City. Christopher Splinter was born on October 9, 1960, in Dubuque, Iowa. Splinter first enlisted in the 389th Dubuque Reserves while he trained to became a commissioned officer in 1989 as a second lieutenant. He had been in he military for 14 years. The Web site went on to quote that Splinter enjoyed fishing, hunting, card playing, and spending time with his children and family. Splinter had made his home in Waynesville, Missouri near Fort Leonard Wood. The Web site also noted Splinter's Battalion was attached to the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq and razed obstacles and helped the division's mobility during hostilities by laying roads and bridges. The Battalion also helped in the rebuilding Iraq. Major Splinter was the battalion's S-3 - its operations officer, in charge of plans. The Web site noted Splinter was interviewed in an Army News Service published September 5, 2003 and was quoted as saying the 5th Engineer Battalion was forming a company of the Iraq Civilian Defense Corps. Splinter was helping with the Iraqi effort. He also led combat patrols and weapons searches. 

    Wisconsin 2005 Assembly Joint Resolution 62 notes Major Splinter was awarded the 4th ID combat patch, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart for his meritorious service and bravery and ultimate sacrifice during combat operations.

    At the time of his death Army Major Christopher Jon Splinter was survived by his wife Penny; two children Mitchell and Rachel; parents Virgil and Barbera Splinter; brothers Tim, Michael, Daniel, and Mark; sisters Cathy (Brian) Beck, Cheryl Splinter, Ann (Gary) DeFore, Janice (Jim) Withrow, Therese Splinter, Rose Splinter, and Karen (Mike) Paulus; and, father and mother-in-law Richard and Mary Barton. Army Major Christopher J. Splinter was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart; he was buried with full military honors at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville, Wisconsin. 

Information for this short biography about Army Major Christopher Jon Splinter was pieced together from the following sources: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Army major believed Iraq would become stable, model state," December 26, 2003; iagenweb.org quoting the Telegraph Herald, "Platteville man dies in Iraq," December 26, 2003, "Teacher recalls fallen soldier," December 27, 2003, "Christopher J. Splinter," December 31, 2003, and, "Platteville mourns one of nation's 'great warriors'," Jan 3, 2004; Wisconsin 2005 Assembly Joint Resolution 62,, "Relating to: the life and military service of United States Army Major Christopher J. Splinter," October 25, 2005; Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs "Fallen Heroes Page"; and, CNN.com "War Casualties Page."

Note: This "Wisconsin Military Casualties Afghanistan Iraq Compilation" Daily Dadio blog Category is under construction. Go to the Cooldadiomedia Web site and the Wisconsin War Casualties Page for a list of names noted by date of death.
[ If readers know of other military service persons with Wisconsin connections that are not on the Web site comprehensive list of fatal casualties, or notice errors, please email Bob Keith at keithrg13@cooldadiomedia.com ]