SFC Daniel H. Petithory, 32, was a Communications Sergeant assigned to ODA 574, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Dan was born in Massachusetts on June 30, 1969. He graduated from Hoosac Valley High School in Massachusetts in 1987. After enlisting as a Military Policeman in September 1987, he served a tour at Fort McClellan, Alabama. After completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course Dan was assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1992. While there Dan served as a Communications Sergeant on both ODA 572 and ODA 574.
During his tenure of military service, Dan participated in contingency operations in Kuwait, Haiti, Africa and throughout Southwest Asia.
His awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, the United Nations Medal, the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantrymen’s Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Senior Parachutist Badge.
He is survived by his parents, Louis and Barbara Petithory; a brother, Michael and a sister, Nicole.
He was Posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Official Citation:
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the face of overwhelming odds and direct hostile aggression as the Communications Sergeant of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 (ODA-574), 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat actions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan on 5 December 2001. Sergeant First Class Petithory’s exceptional courage, dedication to mission and personal sacrifice directly contributed to the current success of both Chairman Hamid Karzai and the Northern Alliance’s defeat of Taliban Forces. Sergeant First Class Petithory’s remarkable performance and selfless commitment to his fellow comrades in arms serves as the standard for others to emulate. Sergeant First Class Petithory’s actions while engaged in combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the United States Army.”
We honor you, Daniel Petithory.