Blackfeet soldier killed in Afghanistan
A 31-year-old soldier from Great Falls has been killed in Afghanistan, becoming the second member of the Blackfeet Indian Tribe to be killed in the Afghan war.
The Department of Defense said Sunday that Spc. Antonio C. Burnside died Friday at Ghanzi province from injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
“All Blackfeet hearts are broken today as we learn we must bury one of our warriors whose life was tragically cut short on the far side of the world,” Blackfeet Chairman T.J. Show said.
“We are reminded how inadequate our words are when a warrior has made the ultimate sacrifice. Tony represents the best among us, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they struggle to deal with the shock of this terrible loss.”
Burnside was based at Fort Bragg, N.C., and assigned to the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division.
According to a press release issued by Show’s office, Burnside had been active in Blackfeet tribal life from an early age. He was a traditional dancer and grass dancer, and participated in Blackfeet traditional ceremonies. He sang with the Gray Horse Singers and studied Cree in school.
The Montana National Guard in a statement Sunday said Burnside is survived by his wife, Christine, and their three daughters and a son.
The family is en route to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to meet their son and bring him home to the Blackfeet Reservation for services and burial.
“The Blackfeet Nation is assisting the family in any and every way we can to honor our heroic warrior and ease the family’s grief,” said Keith Heavy Runner, Blackfeet Veterans Affairs Officer. “We will make available the time and place of services and burial on www.blackfeetnation.com as soon as arrangements are made.”
Burnside (tribal name Many Hides) is the second Blackfeet soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Retired Master Sgt. William F. “Chief” Carlson was killed in Konar Province, Afghanistan, in 2003, shortly after leaving his Fort Bragg unit to work for the CIA.