Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, 35, of West Point, N.Y. died Aug. 8, in Sarkowi, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he encountered an insurgent who detonated a suicide vest. He was killed alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo. and a civilian, Mr. Ragaei Abdelfattah, USAID. Both MAJ. Kennedy and Command Sgt. Maj. Griffin had been assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo. Also killed along side them was Maj. Walter D. Gray of the U.S. Air Force.

From February 2003 to February 2004 and from August 2005 to August 2006, Maj. Kennedy was deployed in Iraq. His recent deployment to Afghanistan, began on July 18 of this year.

His awards and service medals include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Valorous Unit Award. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.

He is survived by his wife, Kami, twin children (a boy and a girl), and his parents.

Proceeds from the MAJ Thomas E. Kennedy bracelet will be donated to Children of Fallen Patriots in his memory.