Army Green Beret from Rhode Island killed in Afghanistan

Master Sergeant P. Andrew McKenna, of Bristol, was killed Friday during an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Senator Jack Reed’s office confirmed Saturday.

“I join all Rhode Islanders in mourning the loss of Andrew McKenna”.

McKenna, of the Army Special Forces, was killed in the attack close to Kabul airport. McKenna was an extraordinary young man with a big heart and a dedicated, distinguished soldier.

In recognition of his sacrifice, and of his family’s sacrifice, the Governor is ordering the Rhode Island flag be flown at half staff beginning Tuesday through First Sgt.

“RI is grateful for his service”, she wrote. While deployed, he served in the position of First Sergeant.

“We have lost a patriot and a hero.”

Sgt. McKenna’s parents, Carol and Peter McKenna, who Teixeira said have left the state to identify their boy’s remains, “were very emotional” to see him honored on Independence Day.

He had served for 17 years, including five tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., tweeted Sunday morning.

Green Beret Andrew McKenna was the only found slain American after all the dust settled. One American was found dead and two injured after a bomb went off in the Afghan capital. Master Sgt. Peter A. McKenna Jr., 35, of Bristol, Rhode Island, died August. 8, 2015, at Camp Integrity, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when he was attacked by enemy small arms fire.

McKenna was killed in a suicide attack, federal officials said, and eight Afghan contractors also died.