SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Summerville town leaders and Dorchester County officials voted Monday evening to partially fund a statue in honor of a U.S. Army Ranger and Medal of Honor recipient killed in combat. The sculpture will memorialize Sgt. Christopher Celiz who sacrificed his life in Afghanistan so his fellow soldiers could evacuate injured crew in 2018, serving in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The Summerville native was just 32 years old when he died. For his actions of valor, Sgt. Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Dec. 16, 2021. President Joe Biden presented the medal to Sgt. Celiz’s wife Katherine and daughter Shannon. Katherine Celiz, spouse of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz, and their daughter Shannon, stand as the citation is read before receiving the Medal of Honor from President Joseph R. Biden Jr. during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 16, 2021. Sgt. 1st Class Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions of valor during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel while serving as a battalion mortar platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in Paktiya province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Laura Buchta) President Joseph R. Biden Jr. presents the Medal of Honor to Katherine Celiz, spouse of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz, and their daughter Shannon, during a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 16, 2021. Sgt. 1st Class Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions of valor during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel while serving as a battalion mortar platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in Paktiya province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Laura Buchta) Secretary of the U.S. Army Christine E. Wormuth, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley present the Medal of Honor flag to Katherine Celiz, spouse of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz, during a Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Dec. 17, 2021. Sgt. 1st Class Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions of valor during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel while serving as a battalion mortar platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in Paktiya province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Laura Buchta) From left, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of the U.S. Army Christine E. Wormuth; Katherine Celiz, spouse of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher A. Celiz; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley; Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. James C. McConville; and Sgt. Maj. of the U.S. Army Michael A. Grinston participate in a Medal of Honor Induction Ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Dec. 17, 2021. Sgt. 1st Class Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions of valor during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel while serving as a battalion mortar platoon sergeant with Company D, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in Paktiya province, Afghanistan, on July 12, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Laura Buchta) Summerville town Councilman Bob Jackson presented a concept for the sculpture at Monday night’s meeting. The rendering features an image of Katherine and Shannon receiving the medal from President Biden behind a still of Sgt. Celiz in uniform. “…that’s a sacrifice made and those two are still paying,” said Jackson. Screenshot of sculpture concept from town council meeting The Summerville town council voted to approve a $15,000 donation, while Dorchester County council members unanimously approved an $18,000 donation Monday night. The $33,000 will act as a down payment so creator Susie Chisholm can begin work on the project in January. For the entire sculpture, Councilman Jackson estimated the project to cost about $200,000. Jackson said he has planned additional fundraisers and will seek state and federal donations to meet the remaining costs. “He did die for the country, not just for us,” he added. If you would like to contribute, you can do so at Sculpture in the South’s website, which sponsors the project. When completed, the sculpture will stand in a soon-to-be-constructed Veteran’s Memorial Park at 500 N. Main Street in Summerville. “I would like to see this in a prominent location on that veteran’s memorial park where folks will be welcome to pay respect to someone from our community that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.” The Battle | July 12, 2018, | Paktia Province, Afghanistan Sgt. Celiz was on his fifth deployment when he was leading a special operations unit on July 12 in Paktia to clear an area of Taliban militants and disrupt possible future attacks, according to a US Army profile. Soon after reaching their first objective, insurgents attacked the unit, preventing a possible counterattack. Sgt. Celiz managed to retrieve and engage a heavy weapon system while being exposed to machine-gun and small-arms fire, reports state. These actions allowed his unit to find a safe location and treat a unit member who was critically wounded. As a medical evacuation helicopter attempted to bring aid, it was fired on by the enemy. As a result, Sgt. Celiz made himself a physical shield so his unit and the injured member could load on the helicopter. While the injured partner was being loaded, Sgt. Celiz shielded the aircraft and returned fire. “With his final reposition, Celiz placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart,” military officials explained.  “Upon the helicopter’s liftoff, Celiz was hit by enemy fire.” He then motioned for the helicopter to depart and leave him. He died as a result of his injuries. “His selfless actions saved the life of the evacuated partnered force member and almost certainly prevented further casualties among other members of his team and the aircrew,” officials added. “His extraordinary heroism and selflessness beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.” While alive, Sgt. Celiz received the following honors and decorations: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medals (4 OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation Medals (2), Afghanistan Campaign Medals with Campaign Star (3), Iraq Campaign Medals with Campaign Star (2), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal, the Ranger Tab, the Sapper Tab, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge Expert-Rifle. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he posthumously received the Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.