Connecticut soldier killed in Afghanistan

Published: Tuesday, March 15, 2011

This undated photo posted on a U.S. Army media release website Monday, March 14, 2011, shows Sgt. 1st Class Daehan Park, a veteran Special Forces soldier originally from Watertown, Conn., and who lived in Lacey, Wash. Park was killed Saturday, March 12, 2011 when his vehicle was struck by an explosive device in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/U.S. Army)

HARTFORD (AP) — A veteran Special Forces soldier from Connecticut has been killed by an enemy attack in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said Monday.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Daehan Park, who was based in Washington state and served in countries including Iraq, Bangladesh and Cambodia, died Saturday after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device, officials said.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy ordered Connecticut and U.S. flags lowered to half-staff until the day of Park’s burial.

“He is a hero who died serving his country and he will be honored and remembered as such,” Malloy said.

Park, 36, graduated from Watertown High School in Watertown, Conn., and joined the Army in 1998 as an infantryman.

He joined the elite Rangers in 2000 and volunteered for Special Forces training in 2005, according to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and was deployed on missions to countries including Iraq and India. He was on his first rotation to Afghanistan when he was killed.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters who live in Washington state.