Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, "De Oppresso Liber"

U.S. Army Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, 28,  while serving his country in Afghanistan, was remembered Wednesday as an active student athlete in high school who later went on to become a highly awarded hero in the military.

A native of Madison, where his parents live, he went to high school at Avon Old Farms School, where he was known as PK. Avon Old Farms School community mourned the death of one of its own Wednesday and flew its American flag at half-staff where Pedersen-Keel used to live at the private all-boys school.

While at Avon Old Farms School, he played football and lacrosse and wrestled. Pedersen-Keel was the editor of The Avon Record, the school newspaper. He also was a young humanitarian, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and participating in the school's Model United Nations.

Long list of awards for heroic and meritorious service

Flags in Connecticut were ordered to half-staff on Wednesday in honor of Pedersen-Keel.

A biography prepared and released by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, NC, provided a long list of awards bestowed upon Pedersen-Keel, including two Bronze Stars. Bronze Stars are awarded to members of the military who distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service. 

Pedersen-Keel also was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, The Army Service Ribbon and more.

"The ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and nation"

“Captain Pedersen-Keel made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and our nation," said Governor Dannel Malloy Wednesday, in a prepared statement. "Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his unit during this very difficult time. We pray for a safe homecoming for our troops who are stationed around the world, and thank them for their bravery and service.”

“This is a tragic and sad reminder that even as the conflict in Afghanistan is winding down there are still hundreds of Connecticut soldiers in harm’s way,” said Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman. “Captain Pedersen-Keel and every one of the other 63 brave men and women from our state lost in Afghanistan and Iraq died defending us and our freedom, and that sacrifice must never be forgotten.”

Pedersen-Keel was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was killed by a member of the Afghan National Police while conducting a patrol brief in the Jalrez District. 

Flags will remain at half-staff until burial or memorial, information for which is forthcoming, Gov. Malloy's office said. 

Pedersen-Keel is survived by his parents and a sister. 

Here is the full biography prepared and released by his fellow officers at the U.S. Army Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg, NC. 

U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES COMMAND (AIRBORNE) BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

CAPTAIN ANDREW MICHAEL PEDERSEN-KEEL Killed in action on Mar. 11, 2013

Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan

He was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., and was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In June 2008, Pedersen-Keel deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months with the 3rd BCT where he served as a company executive officer and platoon leader. Upon completion of the deployment, he volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course.

After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course and language training, he was assigned to the 1st Bn., 3rd SFG (A) as a detachment commander in August 2012. He deployed with the unit to Afghanistan later that year.

Pedersen-Keel's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2), the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Air Assault Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.

Captain Andrew Michael Pedersen-Keel, 28, of Madison, Conn., died Mar. 11, of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Pedersen-Keel was commissioned as an Infantry Officer after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 2006. After graduation he attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. Following his training, he was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (Light) at Fort Hood, Texas.

His military education includes U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Ranger School, Combat Lifesaver Course, Combatives Level I Course, Sniper Employment Leaders Course, Pathfinder Course, Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course.

He is survived by his parents and sister.

- DE OPPRESSO LIBER – [the motto of the U.S. Army Special Forces which is Latin for "to free the oppressed."]