SPC Keith D Benson, a 27-year-old Army combat medic who grew up in Norwood, died 18 Jan 12 of an unspecified cause in the Paktika Province in Southeastern Afghanistan, close to the Pakistan border.
Benson, who graduated from Norwood High School in 2002, was assigned to the Second Battalion; 28th Infantry Regiment; 172d Infantry Brigade; based in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
The Pentagon did not announce a cause of death, but said it is under investigation.
Benson’s family has declined to comment, but several of the soldier’s friends posted somber condolences on his Facebook page.
Lisa Malinowski, in a telephone interview, described Benson, whom she knew for 12 years, as “the nicest person I will probably meet in my entire life.” She said she last spoke with him several years ago, before he entered the military.
“He said he was thinking about going into the Army, but wasn’t sure about whether he would get in because of a bad knee,’’ she said. “He was always a gentleman and would come over whenever we had backyard barbecues and say ‘Hi,’ and give my mother a kiss. I’m in shock that he’s gone.”
Benson was an avid fan of music, Malinowski said. He enjoyed music classes in high school and attended numerous concerts, including Aerosmith.
Benson had indicated that he wanted to become an EMT after retiring from the Army.
Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray made a brief remark about Benson’s death earlier today, saying, “Our thoughts are with his immediate family in Norwood and Mansfield, his friends, and his unit.”
SPC Benson is the 1,879th American to die in Afghanistan … Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden
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