Solider Killed In Afghan Suicide Attack Recently Moved To Crested Butte
FORT CARSON, Colo. (CBS4)- Three U.S. soliders from Fort Carson were killed in a suicide attack in AFghanistan. One had recently moved with his family to Colorado.
The Defense Department identified them as Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray, 38, of Conyers, Ga.; Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, of West Point, N.Y.; and Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo.
Kennedy had recently moved with his family to Crested Butte. He was a highly decorated soldier from Fort Carson.
This is the third so-called "green on blue" attack in recent days in which Afghan soldiers or militants disguised as soldier targeting U.S. troops.
Griffin and Kennedy were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Griffin joined the Army in 1988, Fort Carson officials said. He had deployed to Iraq three times since 2003 and also served in the Balkans and Kuwait. His deployment to Afghanistan had started March 13.
Kennedy joined the Army in 2000 and had deployed to Iraq twice. His deployment to Afghanistan had just begun July 18.
He was a native of New City, in Rockland County. He graduated from West Point in 2000. He is survived by his wife, Kami, and two children.
Gray was an air liaison officer and flight commander for the Fort Carson-based 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, which is part of the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing headquartered at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.
"Maj. Gray's ultimate sacrifice is a tragic loss for the 93d Air Ground Operations Wing family," said Col. Samuel Milam, wing commander, in a written statement. "He was a tremendous officer and leader. Our most heartfelt sympathies are with the Gray family and the Airmen of the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron during this difficult time."
Gray was commissioned in October 1997 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after serving as an enlisted airman and was one of the Air Force's first career air liaison officers.
