Army Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor

Died July 24, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

---

22, of Opelika, Ala.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.; killed July 24 when he was hit by mortar rounds while he was exiting a bunker in Balad, Iraq.

---

Mayor praises bravery of fallen Opelika soldier

Associated Press

OPELIKA, Ala. — The mayor of Opelika has praised the courage of Sgt. Christopher J. Taylor, the second soldier from the east Alabama city killed in Iraq.

“I just want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family,” Mayor Gary Fuller said Tuesday. “I applaud his bravery, and I’m so grateful to all the servicemen.”

Taylor, 22, died Sunday in a mortar attack in Balad, Iraq, the Defense Department said. The mortar rounds hit Taylor as he was exiting a bunker, the military said.

Taylor was a graduate of Opelika High School, city schools spokeswoman Kathy Larkin said.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.