Daniel Henry Petithory
Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army

On 5 December 2001, then-Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory was serving as the Communications Sergeant of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 (ODA-574), 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

On that day, SFC Petithory’s exceptional courage, dedication to mission and personal sacrifice directly contributed to the current success of both Chairman Hamid Karzai and the Northern Alliance's defeat of Taliban Forces. SFC Petithory's remarkable performance and selfless commitment to his fellow comrades in arms serves as the standard for others to emulate. SFC Petithory’s courageous actions that day, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

SFC Petithory was one of 3 U.S. Special Forces soldiers and 5 Afghan opposition fighters who were killed when a 2,000-pound satellite-guided bomb from a U.S. B-52 Bomber (friendly fire) missed its intended target north of Kandahar.

Medals, Awards, Badges and Tabs

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge
Special Forces Tab

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action in the face of overwhelming odds and direct hostile aggression as the Communications Sergeant of Operational Detachment Alpha 574 (ODA-574), 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), during combat actions in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in Afghanistan on 5 December 2001. Sergeant First Class Petithory's exceptional courage, dedication to mission and personal sacrifice directly contributed to the current success of both Chairman Hamid Karzai and the Northern Alliance's defeat of Taliban Forces. Sergeant First Class Petithory's remarkable performance and selfless commitment to his fellow comrades in arms serves as the standard for others to emulate. Sergeant First Class Petithory's actions while engaged in combat operations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the United States Army.

Burial

Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory is buried at Cheshire Cemetery in Cheshire, Berkshire County, MA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6013409/daniel-henry-petithory