A Newark soldier who won a Purple Heart after taking shrapnel while parachuting into Baghdad was killed Friday in Afghanistan, military officials said yesterday.
Special Forces Staff Sgt. Christian Longsworth, 26, died when his convoy fell under fire.
“He was the most wonderful son in the world,” said his tearful mother, who asked not to be named. “I’m heartbroken. There’s no words to explain.”
Roy Longsworth, 42, called him “the best brother,” one who “was never afraid of anything.”
Christian Longsworth also leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter, Jalen, and his girlfriend.
Friends and family said he loved the Army, having enlisted right out of Essex Catholic HS and quickly moving up the ranks, from paratrooper to sniper to ranger.
In 2003, he was one of the first soldiers to parachute into Baghdad.
“He got hurt and asked to go back,” said Miguel Ramos, 27, a pal going back to his high-school days. “After he got that Purple Heart, he was really adamant about going back to fight for his country. Chris never turned down an assignment.”
Some friends considered him such a role model that they copied his journey from Newark’s gritty streets into the Army.
“All of our friends said they changed their lives because they saw how well Chris did with his,” said Harold Rodriguez, 26, another pal.
Longsworth is to be buried in Puerto Rico.