Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout

Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout, 34, a chaplain’s assistant from Worthville, Kentucky, joined the Army Dec. 7, 1997.

He attended basic training and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. before undergoing Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va., where he was trained as a parachute rigger.

Stout was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and arrived at Fort Bragg on Aug. 14, 1998. He served much of his career as a rigger with the 782nd Main Support Battalion and other quartermaster units on Fort Bragg. Stout reclassed to become a chaplain’s assistant in September 2006.

He deployed with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 82nd Airborne Division from Sept. 9, 2007, until March 7, 2008. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment Feb. 25, 2009, and deployed with the unit in August 2009.

“Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout was not just a chaplain assistant; he was my friend, brother and shield of armor,” said Capt. Ludovic O. Foyou, chaplain for 1-508 PIR. “His immensely pure love for his fellow paratroopers epitomizes the Spirit of the Army Chaplain Corps. His love for his wife Misty and three princesses, Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristen, always kept a radiant smile on his face.”

Stout’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, three Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge and Parachute Rigger Badge.

Stout is survived by his wife Misty; their three daughters, Jacqueline, Audreanna and Kristin; and his parents Billy and Sharon Neuner.

Stout died Tuesday, July 13, 2010, while repelling an insurgent attack on an Afghan police compound in Kandahar City.