First Sergeant Peter Andrew McKenna, Jr., age 35 of Bristol, an Army Special Forces Soldier, for 17 years, died Friday, August 7, 2015 in Kabul, Afghanistan, during a complex attack on a coalition facility.  He was the son of  Peter A. and Carol A. (Fennell) McKenna of Bristol.  Andrew was a Special Forces Operations sergeant, assigned to First Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based in Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.  A lifelong resident of Bristol, Andrew entered the Army on July 24, 1998 as an infantryman following his graduation from Mt. Hope High School, Bristol.  Andrew earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Studies from Norwich University this year and is a graduate of the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course and Senior Leader Course. Andrew’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with V device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Master Free Fall Parachutist Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab. In addition to his parents, he is survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was the brother of the late Patrick A. McKenna and grandson of the late Harriet Correia and the late John and Muriel McKenna.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:00 AM in St. Mary of the Bay Church, 645 Main Street, Warren, RI.  Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol.  Visiting hours will be held Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM in St. Mary of the Bay Church.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to 1SG P. Andrew McKenna, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Citizens Bank, Bell Tower Plaza, 576 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI  02809 or to the Wounded Veteran Retreat Program, P.O. Box 619, Parkton, NC  28371 or online at www.woundedveteranretreatprogram.com  

---

 Service Information