Fort Bragg captain killed in Afghanistan

Fort Bragg, N.C. — A soldier stationed at Fort Bragg was killed this week by enemy fire in Afghanistan, the U.S. Army Special Forces Command said Wednesday.

Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of Madison, Conn., died Monday from wounds he received during small-arms fire in Wardak Province. He was assigned to Company B,1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg.

A Fort Stewart, Ga., soldier – Staff Sgt. Rex L. Schad, 26, of Edmond, Okla. – also was killed.

Pedersen-Keel was commissioned as an infantry officer after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 2006. He served for 12 months in Afghanistan in 2008 as a company executive officer and platoon leader, officials said.

After he returned home, he volunteered for additional training and redeployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as a detachment commander.

Pedersen-Keel earned two Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and other awards.

Pedersen-Keel is survived by his mother and sister.

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My husband is leaving this weekend to go to Afghanistan for a year. - lovin this livin

Send George W. Bush a nice Thank You card! -- COMMENT

That's sick. The Democrats and even Obama support the Afghan War from the git go after Nineleven. Obama stepped it up with the 2010 surge and refuses to exit before his announced 2014 exit although we may be no better off then than now over there. Why not hand power over to the corrupt Afghan Government now instead waiting? He is going to be handing power to the very Taliban we are currently killing in some provinces.

What sickness is in our presidents to carrying on fruitless wars? Vietnam had JFK wanting out but increasing troops, then LBJ doing the same, and Nixon wanting out for over four years before leaving. The first Bush got out of the Gulf War too quickly, for a change of pace, then the second Bush toppled Afghanistan's government with democratic blessings and never got out. Next came Obama,first running on getting otu of Iraq, but

djofraleigh
March 13, 2013 6:12 p.m.

Obama got us into Afghanistan and refuses to get us out -- COMMENT

Bush & congress took us into Afghanistan. Obama spend more money on the Afghan War 'surge' in his first three years than Bush had spent in the first 7 including the Taliban overthrow. Obama lost more troops in his first 3 years than Bush did in 7 years. So, it is Obama's war now, and he is exiting next year, come what may. Why he doesn't leave now, if he can exit then, i don't know.

djofraleigh
March 13, 2013 6:06 p.m.

Bush has nothing to do with this. Obama got us into Afghanistan and refuses to get us out. God, please be with all the families, the families of the deceased and those still defending our freedom. Proud Army mom!

jenniegreen
March 13, 2013 5:24 p.m.

God rest his soul. Praying for the family. He is a true hero.

just my2cents
March 13, 2013 3:24 p.m.

It never going to end! Obama wants everyone to believe it is, but its not. My husband is leaving this weekend to go to Afghanistan for a year. - lovin this livin

Send George W. Bush a nice Thank You card!

xylem01
March 13, 2013 2:49 p.m.