Flags Fly At Half-Staff for Connecticut U.S. Army Captain Killed in Afghanistan

The death of U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, whose parents are from Madison, CT, is being mourned by his neighbors, Madison residents and Wallingford residents after the news broke Tuesday of his death in Afghanistan. 

"With deep regret and great sadness we learn of the death in Afghanistan of Capt. Andrew Pedersen-Keel, United State Army, whose parents live here in Madison," First Selectman Fillmore McPherson told Madison Patch. "It is always sad to hear of such a loss, and doubly so when there is a local connection. On behalf of our entire town, our hearts go out to the parents in this tragic time."

Pedersen-Keel also attended James H. Moran School in Wallingford, Superintendent Salvatore Menzo confirmed with Wallingford Patch on Wednesday. Friends and classmates wrote on our Patch Facebook page that he attended from 1995-1999.

Wednesday morning, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered all U.S. and Connecticut flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Pedersen-Keel's death. Flags were already at half-staff in Madison Tuesday.

“Captain Pedersen-Keel made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our state and our nation," Malloy said. "Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his unit during this very difficult time."

The Department of Defense said Wednesday that Capt. Pedersen-Keel was one of two soldiers killed March 11 in the Jalrez District in the east of Maydan Shahr, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. The soliders were attacked by small arms fire. Pedersen-Keel, 28, who lived in South Miami, FL, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Also killed on March 11, 2013 was Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla.  He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA, the Department of Defense said.

Capt. Pedersen-Keel was a 2006 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and a 2003 graduate of Avon Old Farms School. He served in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

The body of Capt. Pedersen-Keel was returned to the United States, to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where a dignified transfer took place 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, where family members were waiting. Family members in Madison had been informed of Capt. Pedersen-Keel's death earlier this week by uniformed members of military who came to their door. According to the web site of U.S. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, which conducts the dignified transfer:

A solemn dignified transfer ... is conducted upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., from the aircraft to a transfer vehicle to honor those who have given their lives in the service of our country.  ... A dignified transfer is conducted for every U.S. military member who dies in the theater of operation while in the service of their country. A senior ranking officer of the fallen member's service presides over each dignified transfer. 

McPherson said, if family members would like, the town is prepared to pay full respects at Pedersen-Keel's funeral, including participation by the police department, including a police escort, and a police honor guard.

McPherson, a U.S. Navy veteran, said he was confident veterans groups would want to participate as well. 

Avon Old Farms Headmaster Kenneth LaRocque told NBC-Connecticut that Pedersen-Keel will be missed.

Headmaster Kenneth LaRocque said that Pederson-Keel was an outstanding student, varsity athlete and a friend to everyone. He said Pederson-Keel was over joyed to get accepted to West Point and was excited to serve his country, noting that he went there with a great deal of courage and commitment. "Obviously I and everyone in the Avon Old Farms School family extends the deepest sympathy to his family," LaRocque said.

The Hartford Courant posted a reprint of a page from the West Point yearbook featuring Capt. Pedersen-Keel when he was a student there. The inscription next to his picture says

"I would like to thank my family for all of their support throughout my life and especially over the last few years. Mom, if not for you, I would have never had this opportunity. Dad, thanks for helping to open all the doors. Dean and Chris, you will always be infinite to me. Celeste, I am endlessly grateful for hav- ing you in my life. Thanks to all my family and friends, you are always with me. Thanks to Army Gymnastics, and especially Doug, for all of the good times."

Here is the report on Capt. Pedersen-Keel's death from WTNH-8 and from the New Haven Register. 

Pem McNerny is the editor of Madison Patch. Associate Regional Editor Ronald DeRosa and Avon Patch editor Jessie Sawyer contributed to this report.

Condolences to the family are welcome in the comment section below.