Dyer US Army Veteran Rushing to Get Unit Interpreter from Afghanistan as Taliban Search for Him

DYER, Ind. (WLS) — Christopher McLenathan was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. During his service there he became close with his unit’s interpreter, a local Afghan. Now that interpreter is on the run, the Taliban are trying to find him, and McClenathon believes he is in grave danger.

“Basically he’s going door to door,” he said. “Because the Taliban is looking for him and others like him.”

While McClenathon was deployed, the interpreter became a friend and important resource.

“He was on base with us for 12 hours every day,” he said. “When I was there 10 years ago, he’s 20 years old, so he’s the same age as us. We had a lot in common. He was going to a nearby college to improve his education.”

Many interpreters simply lived off base; Locals, along with families, sometimes like to help the US military at all costs.

“We served with these men. They, in some cases, shed blood for us. And we shed blood just like any other member of our unit to save them,” McClenathan said.

The veteran said that his friend almost ran away a few days ago, but was turned back at the US gate. He said the interpreter told him that most of the Afghans who came out arrived at the airport.

McClenathon is working from his home in Dyer, making calls and even contacting Congressman Raja Krishnamurthy’s office. Alert, but worried.

“We said, ‘Hey, if you help us we’ll take care of you,'” McClenathon said. “And I think right now, we’re not doing that.”

McClenathon said he spoke to his friend this morning. On the instructions of the State Department, he escapes from the airport and hides back.