Army Spc. Christopher D. Horton

Died September 9, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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26, of Collinsville, Okla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, Okla.; died Sept. 9 in Zurmat district. Paktya province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire. Also killed were Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower and Pfc. Tony J. Potter Jr.

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Okla. soldiers killed in Afghanistan remembered

The Associated Press

SEMINOLE, Okla. - Friends and family members reflected Monday on the sacrifice of three Oklahoma National Guard soldiers killed last week in Afghanistan, including one whose wife is pregnant with the couple's first child.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced Sunday that Sgt. Bret D. Isenhower and Spc. Christopher D. Horton, both 26, and Pfc. Tony J. Potter, 20, were killed Friday when enemy forces attacked their unit with small arms fire. All three were assigned to the Oklahoma National Guard's 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Isenhower was listed as being from Lamar, but he grew up and attended school in Seminole. On Monday, his teachers remembered his smile and personality.

"Not only did he give the ultimate sacrifice for his country, but he was a good person too," said Laura Rose, a teacher at Seminole High School, where flags flew at half-staff on Monday.

"Some students go on their way and you never see them again, but Bret would come and visit and let me know how he was doing," Rose said.

Potter, an Okmulgee High School graduate, was remembered as a smart, ambitious young man who loved his wife, Emily, Somi Yarbrough, his mother-in-law, told the Tulsa World. His wife is pregnant with the couple's first child.

"He was waiting for word from his wife to find out if they were having a boy or girl," Yarbrough said. "Unfortunately, he didn't make it long enough to find out."

U.S. Shooting Academy instructor John Zane remembered Horton, of Collinsville, as a good friend and fellow competitive shooter. The two were part of a team sponsored by the shooting academy.

"He was a good guy. God's got a good warrior up there with him now," Zane told KJRH-TV.

At least 10 Oklahoma National Guard soldiers have died in Afghanistan since July 29.

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Oklahoma soldier buried at Arlington National Cemetery

The Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. — An Oklahoma National Guard soldier who was killed during combat in Afghanistan has been buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The Tulsa World reports that Spc. Christopher Horton was remembered Wednesday as a patriot who was dedicated to his country.

The U.S. Department of Defense says the 26-year-old Horton was killed Sept. 9 when his unit came under attack from small-arms fire in Paktia Province. He was a member of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Sen. Jim Inhofe delivered the eulogy, saying Horton's service is not only meaningful today but will continue to be in the coming years.

Oklahoma National Guard Brig. Gen. Robbie Asher presented American flags to Inhofe, who then gave them to Horton's widow, Jane, and his parents.

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Part of highway to be named after guardsman

The Associated Press

COLLINSVILLE, Okla. — A ceremony to name a section of U.S. Highway 169 after an Oklahoma Army National Guardsman killed in Afghanistan will be held in Collinsville.

The event honoring Spc. Christopher D. Horton is set for Thursday morning at 11605 North 135th East Ave.

The Oklahoma National Guard said the 26-year-old Horton was a sniper assigned to the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team when he was killed in Paktia Province on Sept. 9, 2011.

U.S. 169 from 106th Street North to 116th Street North will be named "Specialist Christopher D. Horton Memorial Highway." Senate Bill 1320 designates four sections of the highway to be named after fallen soldiers from the area.

Horton and 13 other Oklahoma Army National Guard members died during the 45th's deployment to Afghanistan.