He is hailed a hero yet a soldier that grew up next door to my parents in Cameron was killed while out looking for him when he deserted his post. 2nd Lt. Darryn Andrews.
KIA September 4, 2009
Operation Enduring Freedom
Assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska
Killed in Yahya Khail District, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade.
Duty to country was a long-standing value in Darryn Andrews’ life. Growing up he learned patriotism from his family, including a father and uncle who had served in the Air Force, as well as his grandfather who had been an Army P.O.W. during WWII. He had wanted to be a soldier since the age of 14. Early on he attempted the Marines’ Officer Candidate School but was injured and sent home. He then tried working in the business world, as well as coaching and teaching, but after 9/11 he decided to enlist in the Army. “He just came home one weekend and told me that’s what he was going to do,” his mother said.
After returning from his first tour in Afghanistan, Darryn learned of the Army Green to Gold Program, which gives enlisted soldiers the opportunity to earn a commission as an Officer. He was accepted into the program, obtained his Master’s degree from Texas State University and his commission in 2008.
While on his second tour in Afghanistan, instead of remaining safe at Army Headquarters, Darryn requested to have his own platoon. While on patrol with his unit, his vehicle was hit by an IED and he was placed on restricted duty. When he learned his men were going back out, he took himself off restricted duty and returned to active duty. During a patrol on September 4, the vehicle in front of his was hit by an IED. Instead of remaining safely in his vehicle, Darryn got out to assist in recovering the damaged vehicle. He looked up and saw a Taliban fire an RPG at them. He pushed his fellow soldiers out of the way and took the direct hit himself. For his heroic actions in saving his fellow soldiers, Darryn Andrews was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration for valor.
[This message has been edited by Rabid Cougar (edited 6/1/2014 7:50p).]
KIA September 4, 2009
Operation Enduring Freedom
Assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska
Killed in Yahya Khail District, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device and rocket-propelled grenade.
Duty to country was a long-standing value in Darryn Andrews’ life. Growing up he learned patriotism from his family, including a father and uncle who had served in the Air Force, as well as his grandfather who had been an Army P.O.W. during WWII. He had wanted to be a soldier since the age of 14. Early on he attempted the Marines’ Officer Candidate School but was injured and sent home. He then tried working in the business world, as well as coaching and teaching, but after 9/11 he decided to enlist in the Army. “He just came home one weekend and told me that’s what he was going to do,” his mother said.
After returning from his first tour in Afghanistan, Darryn learned of the Army Green to Gold Program, which gives enlisted soldiers the opportunity to earn a commission as an Officer. He was accepted into the program, obtained his Master’s degree from Texas State University and his commission in 2008.
While on his second tour in Afghanistan, instead of remaining safe at Army Headquarters, Darryn requested to have his own platoon. While on patrol with his unit, his vehicle was hit by an IED and he was placed on restricted duty. When he learned his men were going back out, he took himself off restricted duty and returned to active duty. During a patrol on September 4, the vehicle in front of his was hit by an IED. Instead of remaining safely in his vehicle, Darryn got out to assist in recovering the damaged vehicle. He looked up and saw a Taliban fire an RPG at them. He pushed his fellow soldiers out of the way and took the direct hit himself. For his heroic actions in saving his fellow soldiers, Darryn Andrews was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal, the third highest military decoration for valor.
[This message has been edited by Rabid Cougar (edited 6/1/2014 7:50p).]
