In Memory of
Christopher E. Mosko
November 18, 1983 - April 26, 2012
Obituary
Christopher Mosko
Chris was born in Worcester, MA on November 18, 1983 to Gayle and John. They lived in Thompson, CT before moving to Wilmington, DE. During those years in Delaware, Chris began the journey to the person he became. His sister, Meredith, came along and he learned what it was to be a big brother and care for someone other than himself. He took swimming lessons and stepped on his first soccer field. Competitive swimming and travel team soccer became the standard at the Moskos. Christopher would continue to use those skills he learned in competitive sports throughout his life.
While still in elementary school, Christopher watched the Army-Navy football game and, when the Midshipman marched in formation onto the field, he stated "I want to be one of them." Although his path did not lead him to the Academy, Chris did follow his dream of becoming a Naval Officer.
In middle school, the family moved to Eau Claire, WI and a new chapter in his life began. He continued to swim, but soccer became his passion. This culminated in his senior year of high school when, as a co- captain, he helped lead the team to the semi-finals in Wisconsin. While a good student, it was not until his Baccalaureate that we realized he had an ability to reach people with his words in his "Speech to Parents", a message of love and thanks and recognition for guiding him to be ready to be on his own.
Heading into Philadelphia, he attended Drexel where he majored in Commerce and Engineering. He attended the orientation for ROTC and the die was cast. He knew that this was the path he would pursue. Here he made friends that are the life-long variety, the people who would be there when needed most. And he met Amanda, the love of his life, and the person who completed him as a person and a man.
After five years in the co-op program at Drexel, he was commissioned through the University of Pennsylvania NROTC program in 2007 and started his path in EOD in Florida. Chris completed dive school in October 2007 and went on to EOD school which he graduated in October 2008. This was a challenge, but Chris was committed to being the best and excelled in the program. Chris enjoyed the company of his roommates and classmates, playing beach volleyball and diving to relax. Chris proposed to Amanda in Destin, Florida in August 2008 and shortly thereafter reported to Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit Three in San Diego and served as the Assistance Operations Officer at ESU1.
In October of 2009, Chris and Amanda married and settled into San Diego, where they enjoyed the next 3 months spending time with each other and the newest member of the family, a puppy named Bailey.
Chris left in January 2010 for his first deployment as the Assistant Officer in Charge of EOD Platoon 3-2-2 which supported the USS Carl Vinson. While aboard the Vinson, Haiti was rocked by a catastrophic earthquake. Chris and his team were among the first to arrive and assist in the humanitarian relief. He also spent time teaching and building relationships with several special forces units from South American countries.
Upon his return, Chris was assigned to assist in a RIMPAC, an international military exercise held in Hawaii. After having spent several months apart, Amanda joined him at the end of this exercise and they enjoyed a long overdue honeymoon and enjoyed time together and traveling.
After returning to San Diego, Chris returned Mobile Unit 3 and began the long work up to prepare for deployment to Afganistan with a special forces team. In late December 2011, LT Mosko deployed as the Platoon Commander of 3-8-1 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Chris filled a number of jobs there but eventually moved to the Ghazni province where he worked with an Army ODA unit in the Nawa district.
While often quiet about his faith, Chris knew and loved the Lord. Chris was an incredibly loving husband, son, brother, nephew and a loyal friend. He loved his EOD community and was dedicated to his team, their safety was always his top priority.
On April 26, 2012, Chris was killed by a roadside IED in the Nawa district, Ghazni province of Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his team in Afghanistan.
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