Spc. Brian K. Arsenault
By Lynn R. Mitchell
An 82nd Airborne Division Paratrooper died Sept. 4, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire.
A press release from Fort Bragg, NC, revealed the sad news:
Spc. Brian K. Arsenault, a 28-year-old Paratrooper from Northborough, Massachusetts, was a grenadier with B Company, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div.
“We have suffered a great loss in the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and express our deepest condolences. Spc. Arsenault was an exceptional Paratrooper and a valued member of our team,” said Lt. Col. Chris Hockenberry, Arsenault’s battalion commander. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Arsenault enlisted in the Army in November 2011. Upon completion of one-station unit training, he completed the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Georgia. He arrived at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2012, and was assigned to 1st BCT in November of 2013.
Arsenault’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Army Commendation Medal (one oak-leaf cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.
America mourns at the latest loss in the war on terrorism with eternal gratitude for Spc. Arsenault’s supreme sacrifice, and prayers to his family and friends. Freedom is not free.
LynnRMitchell.com 
Thank you for posting the entire Ft. Bragg press release which listed all of his awards, while most media only mentioned two. He earned every one of them, reflective of his unique dedication, hard work and sacrifice, including the ultimate sacrifice for his countrymen.
I was impressed while reading the Fort Bragg press release and seeing how many awards he had earned. In fact, I was surprised for someone so young to have accomplished so much, and wanted to be sure that all of them were included. Sadly, there is not enough attention given in our country to our active men and women still in harm’s way and, especially, for those who give the ultimate sacrifice. We are eternally thankful….