Christopher Mercer Lowe
Christopher M. Santiago Löwe | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Kit" |
| Born | January 7, 1986 Winter Park, Florida |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Conch Republic |
| Service/ | |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank |
|
| Unit | 118th Field Artillery Regiment 108th Cavalry Regiment International Security Assistance Force Walter Reed Army Medical Center |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan (WIA) |
| Awards | Combat Action Badge Bronze Star Medal with "V" Purple Heart Medal Army Commendation Medal (2) Army Achievement Medal (2) ANA Chief of Staff Medal of Merit Honorary Colonel |
| Relations | Hugh Mercer , Hugh W. Mercer , George Wayne Anderson |
| Other work | Political candidate , Veteran Service Officer |
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Hon. Christopher Mercer Santiago Löwe, ADC (Hebrew: עמוס אריה ;(born January 07, 1986) is a former sergeant who served in the US Army from March 2004 to April 2012 as a Forward observer and eventually as an infantryman. From August 2018 - June 2021 he was the lacrosse Head Coach at Georgia Southern University, this past season the Defense & Fogo Coach at Maine Maritime Academy.
Early life and education
Christopher was born in Winter Park. During his youth his family lived in Brazil, Hogansville and Savannah. While living in Hogansville he was a member of the Young Marines at Dobbins Air Force Base.
He went on to attend Benedictine Military School then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Kennesaw State University in 2016.
Military
Christopher entered the Army through split service training in 2004 following his junior year at Benedictine Military School. He graduated from Benedictine in 2005 then went to Fort Sill to complete his initial MOS training (13 Fox) with Delta Battery 1st BN 22nd Field Artillery Regiment. Shortly after completing his training Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast of the United States, PFC Löwe deployed with a detachment of 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team soldiers to Gulfport, Mississippi to take part in recovery efforts; for his efforts he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and Mississippi National Guard Emergency Service Medal.
Christopher served in Hq Battery Chatham Artillery from 2004 to 2008 before transferring to RSP at Dobbins Air Force Base. In February 2009 he volunteered to deploy with Alpha Troop 108th Cavalry Regiment out of Calhoun, they were activated March 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in April. While deployed to Afghanistan SPC Löwe was a member of HQ 3rd Brigade 201st Corps (Afghanistan) embedded training team, his last mission took place in Kapisa Province August 7 2009 when his FIST team was ambushed. For his actions that day he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart medal.[1][2]. He was medevac to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and while there worked with other service members still in Afghanistan to raise school supplies for Afghan children; in March 2010 he attended a meeting with the Afghan Ambassador to the US in Washington DC. While meeting with the Ambassador SPC Löwe was recognized for his service to Afghanistan with a medal from the Afghan Army Chief of Staff.[3]. Following a 2 year medical review of his combat wounds SGT Löwe was honorably discharged from the Army, following being discharged Christopher volunteered with veteran organizations before going back to Kennesaw State to finish his degree.[4].[5]
Lacrosse
Christopher played college lacrosse at Georgia Southern University and Kennesaw State University, as a FOGO and d-pole. While recovering at Walter Reed in 2009 he started the military wheelchair lacrosse program for combat wounded and disabled service members[6][7]. In 2011 he played for a USA travel team at the Australia Men's National Championship games in Adelaide, South Australia. The stick that Christopher took to Afghanistan and Australia was donated to the US Lacrosse museum in 2014. In May 2018 Christopher was hired by the Georgia Southern Men's Lacrosse (MCLA) program to become their newest Head Coach, turning the program around in his second season prior to COVID ending the season prematurely and received the Coach of the Year award from GSU CRI.[8] Coach Löwe was the Defense & Fogo Coach at Maine Maritime Academy (NCAA D3) during the 2021-22 season. May 2022 he was part of the coaching staff that helped lead MMA to their first conference championship in program history.[9][10]
Family lineage and heritage
Christopher is descended from the famous Mercer family of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.[11] His ancestors include BG Hugh Mercer of the Continental Army, BG Hugh Weedon Mercer of the US/Confederate Army and Johnny Mercer. He’s also a distant cousin of Gen George S Patton on the Mercer side of his family.
Awards and decorations
|
Combat Action Badge |
|
48th Infantry Brigade Combat Service Identification Badge |
|
Walter Reed Army Medical Center distinctive unit insignia |
|
1 Overseas Service Bar |
|
2 Service stripes |
- 2009 Inducted into the Order of the Spur
- 2013 commissioned a Georgia Honorary Colonel
- 2014 Major League Lacrosse Honorary Player Contract
- 2020 Ga Southern University CRI Coach of the Year
- 2021 commissioned a Kentucky Colonel
- 2021 inducted as a Arkansas Traveler (honorary title)
- 2022 North Atlantic Conference Champions
Bronze Star Citation
Here is the text it appears on the award:
THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH ‘V’ DEVICE
Specialist Christopher M. Lowe
1-108th Cavalry Regiment
For valorous and meritorious actions while engaged in direct combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 August 2009. Specialist Lowe’s courage and selfless dedication in a combat zone, under the most extreme of circumstances, greatly contributed to the fight against the War on Terrorism. Specialist Lowe’s actions reflect great credit upon himself, Task Force Phoenix, Combined Joint Task Force-82 and the United States Central Command.
Citation For gallantry and acts of heroism while performing combat advisory duties under enemy fire in the Shpee Valley, Kapisa Province (Regional Command-East) during Operation Brest Thunder. Spec Lowe demonstrated unwavering courage, exemplary professional skill, and daring initiative in the face of heavy enemy fire. His actions led to a life saving medical evacuation and another medical evacuation ensuring a fallen warrior’s remains did not fall into the hands of the enemy. His actions allowed supporting forces to locate and destroy over 20 enemy fighters including a senior Taliban commander. These acts of heroism and disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st squadron, 108th cavalry, and the United States Army.[12]
Notes
- ↑ Bobbie O'Brien (8 December 2010). "Veteran Helping Veteran with PTSD". OFF THE BASE. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ↑ Craig Coleman (11 March 2010). "Guardsman earns bronze star with 'V' device". Walter Reed Public Affairs. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
- ↑ Rex Temple (8 December 2010). "Georgia National Guard SGT Christopher Lowe". OFF THE BASE. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
- ↑ Karen Costa (February 2015). "An Invincible Heart". MVC4488. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
- ↑ Robert Godlewski (21 April 2016). "Kennesaw State University designated a 'Purple Heart University'". Kennesaw State University. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
- ↑ Lacrosse Playground (18 September 2011). "US Military Wheelchair Lacrosse Program Selects A Logo". Lacrosse Playground. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ↑ Connor Wilson (13 July 2016). "FIRESIDE CHAT – WOUNDED WARRIORS: US MILITARY WHEELCHAIR LACROSSE". LaxAllStars. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ↑ MCLA (18 May 2021). "Lowe Steps Down at Ga. Southern". MCLA. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ↑ Maine Maritime Academy Athletics (18 September 2021). "Assistant Men's Lacrosse Coach". MMA. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ↑ Castine Patriot (5 May 2022). "Maine Maritime men's lacrosse claims first ever NAC championship". Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ↑ Tamsin Gray (6 August 2018). "Descendant of a north-east born American war hero returns for Fraserburgh exhibit". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- ↑ Rex Temple (25 February 2010). "SPC Kit Lowe Receives Bronze Star in D.C." Afghanistan:My Last Tour. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
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