Norwalk Native Killed in Afghanistan [Update]

Update 9:23 p.m.:

David Richard Fahey, Jr., a 23-year-old former Norwalk resident serving in the U.S. Army, was killed in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan on Monday, U.S. military officials announced.

Officials at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, near Tacoma, WA, announced that Fahey  was killed after his vehicle was struck by an IED (improvised explosive device—essentially a homemade bomb) while on a morning patrol in Kandahar, a province in southeastern Afghanistan.

His family is traveling to Delaware to receive his remains.

Fahey had moved from Norwalk to Yorktown, NY at some point. All town building flags were flying at half-staff there on Tuesday afternoon.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today ordered Connecticut and U.S. flags to fly at half staff in Fahey's honor until sunset on the day of burial, details of which are pending.

David's uncle and aunt, Tom and Fran Fahey, adopted him and his siblings, Phyllis and Nicholas, when he was a child. Nicholas is a junior at . The couple also has four biological children — Brianna, Tyler, Samantha and Blake. Samantha and Tyler are also students at YHS, in 9th and 12th grades, respectively. 

Reaction in Yorktown and Norwalk

"They are a terrific family," Yorktown High School principal Joe DeGenarro said. "We're deeply saddened for them and we'll do anything we can for the children in terms of education and support at this difficult time."

Fahey was a member of the in Yorktown, where Monday night Pastor Dan O'Brien invited people in to mourn, and the church was "overflowing," said Joe Iaropoli, a family friend.

"I know him as a hero," Iaropoli said. "It's a tragedy."

"It's a hard day when you lose a 23-year-old," Norwalk Mayor Richard A. Moccia said late Tuesday afternoon about the death of Fahey. "We understand he was a Norwalk native who moved (from Norwalk) when he was in high school. I believe he still has relatives in Norwalk. Our flags are at half mast.

"Our sympathies go out to the family," Moccia said.  Veterans groups in Norwalk may reach out to the family, he said. The mayor said he expected to be in touch with the family at some point, but not yet.

"We also want to respect their privacy right now and allow them to greive," he said. "If there's anything we can do to assist them in any way shape or form, we will."

Military career

Fahey was stationed at Lewis-McChord, formerly known as Fort Lewis, before his deployment to Afghanistan.

He had been assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, according to the statement.

The base's statement gave the following account of Fahey's army career:

Fahey enlisted in the Army Aug. 31, 2007 at Springfield, MA, then reported to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, that September for "initial entry" training.

He completed training in "Military Occupational Specialty 31B: Military Police," then served for 12 months at Camp Walker, Korea before reporting to the base then known as Ft. Lewis in March  2009, where he served in the 42nd Military Police Brigade.

In February 2010 he was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, which deployed to Afghanistan in June, 2010.

Fahey graduated from high school in 2008 and took the military police qualification course that same year.

His awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Drivers and Mechanics Badge.

"On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Pfc. Fahey," read a statement issued by Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

More reactions

"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Pfc. David Fahey," Malloy said in a written statement released by the governor's office. "Our country lost a brave and dedicated serviceman, and we stand with the men and women who are grieving the loss of Pfc. Fahey, and the families of the other brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

"Our hearts go out to the soldiers who are working so hard, so far away from home," Malloy said. "We wish for your safe and speedy return."

News of Fahey's death caused Town Clerk Andrew Garfunkel to postpone his announcement that he's running for mayor. Garfunkel released a statement late Tuesday afternoon which said in part:

"In light of the recent tragic event that has occurred overseas and out of respect to the family and friends of Pfc. David R. Fahey, Jr. I have decided to postpone the press conference that was to be held this evening. Yesterday, we lost another brave solider fighting for our country and its freedoms. My thoughts and prayers are with Pfc. David Fahey, Jr. and his family. Words cannot express my sorrow.  We must now join together as a united community in offering our condolences and support  to Pfc. Fahey's family."

Garfunkel also said in his statement, "Between now and November, there will be plenty of time to debate the issues of the day. Right now, we mourn, as a community, for Pfc. Fahey."

House Republican Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr. said in a written statement:

“Norwalk mourns the tragic death of David Fahey who gave his life for his country. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fahey family. All of Connecticut mourns the passing of someone so young and we pray for the day when our men and women in uniform can come home to their families.’’ 

State Rep. Bruce V. Morris also issued a statement:

“I want to offer my sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Pfc. David Fahey. We will be eternally grateful for the personal sacrifice he has made to his country and each of us as citizens. Pfc. Fahey enlisted to serve his country with honor to make sure that people in other countries enjoy the same freedoms that we have. His tragic death is a reminder to each of us of the cost of those freedoms.”

Editor's note: To see Yorktown Patch's coverage, .