1SG Peter A. McKenna Jr., 35, a Special Forces Operations Sergeant, assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) died of injuries sustained on Aug. 7 in Kabul, Afghanistan, during a complex attack on a coalition facility.
A native of Bristol, R.I., McKenna entered the Army July 24, 1998 as an infantryman. Upon completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2002, McKenna was assigned to the 7th SFG (A) as communications sergeant in May of 2003.
McKenna's military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.
McKenna earned a Bachelor's Degree in Strategic Studies from Norwich University in 2015, and is a graduate of the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course and Senior Leader Course.
