Capt. Andrew M. Pedersen-Keel, 28, of Madison, Conn., died Mar. 11, of wounds received from small-arms fire in Wardak Province, 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.
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.
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.
His military education includes the U.S. Army Airborne School, U.S. Army Air Assault School, U.S. Army Ranger School, Combat Lifesavers 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.
Pedersen-Keel’s awards and decorations include two Bronze Star Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.
He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his father, mother, step-father, sister and two step-brothers. He also leaves behind his fiancée.
– DE OPPRESSO LIBER –
