Posthumously Awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry and Intrepidity

Both were natives of Massachusetts who came from close, traditional Catholic families. After joining the military and serving with distinction during Operation Enduring Freedom, both Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory and 1st Lieutenant Timothy Steele made the ultimate sacrifice on December 5, 2001.

Early Life and Education

On December 5, 2001, Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory from Cheshire, Massachusetts was killed by friendly fire in Kandahar Province during his duties with Detachment Alpha 374 of 3rd Battalion 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Posthumously awarded a Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity during combat actions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom; he became the first Massachusetts native killed since Sept 11 terrorist attacks to perish in this war and departed a wife, son and daughter behind along with parents and a sister. His burial took place at Greenwood Cemetery Duxbury Massachusetts

Daniel Petithory will forever be remembered by those who knew and respected him for his courageous and selfless devotion.

Professional Career

As one of approximately 130 Massachusetts natives who died since America was thrust into war by terrorist attacks on September 11th, his death marked an early milestone in America’s fight. Enlisting as a military policeman, he later served at Fort Rucker before volunteering for and enrolling in Special Forces qualification course at Fort Campbell in Kentucky – later receiving posthumously the Silver Star posthumously as recognition of his efforts on behalf of himself, Special Forces and Army alike. His family believes his sacrifice wasn’t in vain.

Achievement and Honors

President of the United States of America takes great pleasure in honoring Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory, United States Army, with posthumous award of the Silver Star for his extraordinary courage, dedication to mission and personal sacrifice – which played a critical role in Chairman Hamid Karzai and Northern Alliance forces’ recent triumphant defeat of Taliban Forces in Afghanistan.

He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Unfortunately, he was killed by friendly fire from B-52 ordnance that hit his position north of Kandahar and killed both of his parents, Louis and Barbara Petithory; brother Michael; and sister Nicole.

His mother, Barbara, says her son was born to serve.

Personal Life

Two Massachusetts men from different towns grew up miles apart but shared strong, lasting bonds. Both joined the Army’s elite Green Berets, serving for 10 years each before their deaths in combat a decade apart. Sergeant Daniel Petithory from Cheshire and 1st Lt. Timothy Steele from Duxbury both came from traditional Catholic families that fostered modest pride as well as patriotic passion that propelled them forward during battle – leaving behind loving parents, brothers, and sisters behind whom both are posthumously being honored with Silver Star awards posthumously.

At Operational Detachment Alpha 374 of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Communications Sergeant Kevin Cannon stood out with extraordinary courage and devotion to his mission during Operation Enduring Freedom operations in Afghanistan on December 5, 2001. His exceptional courage and devotion directly contributed to its success.

Net Worth

As a Military Policeman in 1987 and later volunteering to undergo Special Forces qualification course at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. He ultimately perished by friendly fire on December 5, 2001 near Kandahar in Afghanistan – posthumously awarded with Silver Star; survived by parents, brother, sister as well as receiving two commendation medals and an Army Achievement Medal – but posthumously also posthumously honored as recipient of three Army Commendation medals and an Army Achievement Medal in his lifetime.