Remembering US Army Major Thomas E. Kennedy Killed in Action on 8/8/12 in Kunar Province Afghanistan from New City, NY.

Major Thomas “TK” Kennedy was raised in New City, and attended Clarkstown schools as well as Don Bosco Preparatory School(NJ) and the Salisbury Preparatory School(Conn). He graduated in 2000 from the U.S. Military Academy. In addition to his deployment to Afghanistan, Kennedy served in Iraq from February 2003-2004 and again in Iraq from August 2005-2006. Upon his return, he was selected to become a Tactical Officer at West Point, during which he also earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

On August 8, 2012, Kennedy was killed in action when a bomber detonated a suicide vest in Kunar Province Afghanistan. Kennedy, 35, was killed alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, 45, of Laramie, Wyo., Maj. Walter D. Gray of the U.S. Air Force, and USAID Foreign Service Officer Ragaei Abdelfattah.

Kennedy was a highly decorated officer, he earned dozens of awards and service medals, including Bronze Star Medal (3), Purple Heart and Bronze Star Posthumous, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star (4), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.

Before the explosion, Army Captain Florent Groberg spotted a lone individual near the left side of the formation, walking backwards in the direction of the patrol. The individual did not cause immediate alarm as there were other local civilians in the area.

However, when the individual made an abrupt turn toward the formation, Groberg rushed the suspect and shoved him away from the patrol. Groberg then immediately confirmed the individual was wearing a suicide vest, and with the help of Sgt. Andrew Mahoney, a fellow Soldier with the PSD, grabbed the suicide bomber, physically driving him away from the formation and down to the ground.

While on the ground, the bomber’s explosive vest detonated. The explosion caused a second suicide bomber, who remained hidden behind a small structure near the road, to detonate his vest prematurely. The quick action and courage displayed saved many lives that day, but unfortunately, 16 Soldiers were injured, and four personnel were killed in the attack, including U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Griffin, U.S. Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, U.S. Air Force Maj. Walter D. Gray and USAID Foreign Service Officer Ragaei Abdelfattah.

Groberg sustained the loss of 45 to 50 percent of his left calf muscle with significant nerve damage, a blown eardrum, and a mild traumatic brain injury. He was in recovery at Walter Reed Hospital for 3 years.

For his actions on that day, Army Captain Florent Groberg received the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor in the United States.

Captin Groberg’s memorial bracelet.

In 2018, The U.S. Military Academy Hockey locker room was dedicated in honor of former hockey player Major Thomas “TK” Kennedy.

Each year the Don Bosco Hockey Teams celebrates Major Kennedy by wearing a “TK” patch on their jerseys in remembrance as well as honor a player who exemplifies the leadership, values and attributes that made TK a great teammate, with the TK Award.

His #10 was officially retired in February of 2013 during a pre-game ceremony prior to the inaugural TK Cup game where a scholarship was also established in his name.

In 2017, the Town of Clarkstown launched a Military Tribute Banner Program, that displays veterans in downtown centers throughout the town. Montana Construction sponsored a banner for Major Kennedy.

Arden Place in New City, the street Kennedy grew up on, will forever bear his name and memory.

Photo by Patch

Major Thomas “TK” Kennedy a true American hero, that will never be forgotten.