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Brodeur, David Lawrence, Maj.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Auburn, Massachusetts
Last Address Kabul, Afghanistan
Casualty Date Apr 27, 2011
Cause KIA-Died of Wounds
Reason Intentional Homicide
Location Afghanistan
Location of Interment United States Air Force Academy Cemetery (VLM) - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Published: April 29th, 2011 12:02 PM
Last Modified: April 29th, 2011 12:08 PM
The Alaska-based airman shot and killed this week at Kabul airport was Maj. David L. Brodeur, a father of two who had been deployed since February.
Maj. David L. Brodeur, 11th Air Force executive officer at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Brodeur's family identified the slain airman Wednesday in a prepared statement. The 34-year-old was originally from Auburn, Mass., and was working as an adviser to the Afghan Command and Control Center, his family said.
Brodeur was one of eight U.S. service personnel killed Wednesday when a veteran Afghan military pilot opened fire at the Kabul airport. An American civilian contractor was also killed. The gunman, who died in an exchange of fire that followed his attack, was said to be distressed over his personal finances.
Brodeur served as executive officer for the 11th Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.
"David was a wonderful and caring father, husband, son and brother who was committed to the service of his country," his father, Lawrence Brodeur, told the Worcester, Mass., Telegram and Gazette. "Words are inadequate to express how much we miss him."
The paper described Brodeur as an F-16 pilot and a married father of two. He had lived in Alaska at least since 2008, according to voter registration records.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has asked people to donate to a college fund created for the airman's children. Under the heading "Maj. David Brodeur 529 College Fund," you can write to Air Warrior Courage Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Silver Springs, MD, 20918. Or call (877) 921-2923 or email awcf@airwarriorcourage.org.
Family, town mourn slain pilot hailing from Auburn
By Laura Crimaldi and Colneth Smiley Jr.
Friday, April 29, 2011 - Updated 4 days ago
The town of Auburn yesterday mourned its first war casualty since Vietnam, as the family of an Air Force pilot gunned down by an Afghan officer made the sad trek south to meet his body on its return to American soil.
“They have a 7-year-old daughter and a 4-year old son who couldn’t wait till Daddy got home to teach him to play ball,” said retired Air Force Master Sgt. Frank Williams, 77, father-in-law of the late Maj. David L. Brodeur. “Dave was over there to help, he was a pilot over there to help.”
Brodeur, 34, was among nine Americans gunned down Wednesday at Kabul International Airport. The shooter was identified as Ahmad Gul, a 48-year-old pilot.
The shooting erupted in an operations room of the Afghan Air Corps after Gul reportedly got into an argument during a meeting with the NATO trainers. Brodeur had been deployed since February as an adviser to the Afghan Command and Control Center under NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan.
“This is so overwhelming at this point,” Lawrence Brodeur of Sutton, David’s father, said in a brief interview. “We’re on our way to Dover, Del., to meet his body.”
The death stunned Auburn.
“The heart of this town has been ripped out,” said Bob Mulcahy, 58, a former neighbor. “The Brodeurs were our neighbors, one of the best families to live in Auburn, held with high esteem. This will affect the town in a big way, especially because of the way he died. Our feelings go out to the family in a huge way. All this kid did was serve his country at an exceptional level. This is awful.”
Brodeur’s father, Lawrence, served as town moderator before moving recently, said state Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “You never want to hear about this, especially from your area,” said Frost, who added lawmakers were planning a moment of silence to honor Brodeur. “It’s sad because you know there are a lot of people who did know him personally. The family had deep roots.”
Former U.S. Rep. Peter Blute recalled presenting the young Brodeur with an award for his community work while he was in high school. Brodeur was president of the Auburn High School Student Council.
“He clearly was one of the best and the brightest,” Blute said. “This is a real tragedy.”
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has established a college fund for the Brodeur children and asks community members who wish to donate to contact: Air Warrior Courage Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Silver Spring, MD 20918.
lcrimaldi@bostonherald.com
Comments/Citation:
Air Force Major David L. Brodeur, formerly of Auburn, MA, died April 27, 2011 at Kabul Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan. He was on deployment to Afghanistan from Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska. Major Brodeur had been assigned, while in Afghanistan, as an advisor to the Afghan Command and Control Center under the NATO Air Training Command.
Prior to deployment, he served as Executive Officer, Eleventh Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf -Richardson, Alaska.
Major Brodeur was born on December 10, 1976 in Worcester and grew up in Auburn. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Williams) Brodeur and his children: Elizabeth 7, and David, Jr. 4. He is also survived by his parents, Lawrence A. and Joyce A. (Samaha) Brodeur, long-time Auburn residents who currently reside in Sutton; a brother, Todd E. Brodeur and his wife Jo-Ellen of Shrewsbury, MA and his sister, Amanda G. Brodeur. Major Brodeur also leaves behind a large extended family including his grandmother, Constance C. Brodeur, and many aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins.
Major Brodeur was educated in the Auburn public schools graduating with honors from Auburn High in 1994. While in high school he played soccer and was an accomplished track and field athlete who won Southern Worcester County League and District Class B individual championships. He served as Treasurer and President of the Student Council and was a member of the National Honor Society; represented Auburn High at the Annual Student Government Day Program sponsored by the Massachusetts State Legislature and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his service to Auburn High and the Town of Auburn.
After a year of prep school at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA he entered the United States Military Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado graduating in 1999 with a degree in Political Science. Major Brodeur earned a Master of Business Administration and Management from Touro University and had completed Air Command Staff College. Major Brodeur graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB in Columbus, Mississippi in April 2001, and F-16 Fighter training from Luke AFB in Arizona. Major Brodeur was an experienced F-16 pilot with deployments to Iraq where he flew combat missions during the initial days and months of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Among his commendations and awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Combat Action Medal.
Major Brodeur was an F-16 instructor, Flight Commander, and Weapons ADO for the 18th Aggressor Squadron. He was a Senior Pilot with more than 1600 flight hours in fighter aircraft. He had a fascination with aviation as a child which turned into the goal of becoming a fighter pilot and led eventually to his career as an aviator and Air Force officer.
Despite David's passion for flying and pride for his country, his greatest love in life was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 11 years and proud father of Elizabeth and David. He was a loving son and brother who placed the needs of others and service to God and country before self.
Though tragic to have lost him so young, it is comforting to know that his kind, humorous, and courageous spirit, with which he touched so many, will live on through his children.
His all-too-short life was a life well lived.
There will be a concelebrated Memorial Mass celebrating David's life on Saturday, May 7, at 11:00 AM at North American Martyrs Parish, 8 Wyoma Drive, Auburn, which is open to the public. His funeral, with full military honors, will be held on May 17th, 2011 at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Burial will be in the United States Air Force Academy's Military Cemetery.
For those who may wish to pay tribute to David, a scholarship fund has been created to benefit his children at the Air Warrior Courage Foundation, care of the Major David Brodeur 529 College Fund, Air Warrior Courage Foundation, P.O. Box 877, Silver Springs, MD 20918. The Foundation can be reached by phone at (877) 921-2923; by fax at (301) 587-2923, and by e-mail at
awcf@airwarriorcourage.org
The Britton-Wallace Funeral Home is honored to be assisting Major Brodeur's family with the arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, or to view David' Book of Memories, please visit
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DOD Identifies Air Force Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of eight airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died April 27, at the Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from gunfire. The incident is under investigation.
Killed were:
Maj. Philip D. Ambard, 44, of Edmonds, Wash. He was assigned to the 460th Space Communications Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. For more information media may contact the Air Force Academy public affairs office at 719-333-7731.
Maj. Jeffrey O. Ausborn, 41, of Gadsden, Ala. He was assigned to the 99th Flying Training Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. For more information media may contact the 502nd Air Base Wing public affairs office at 210-652-4410.
Maj. David L. Brodeur, 34, of Auburn, Mass. He was assigned to the 11th Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. For more information media may contact the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson public affairs office at 907-552-2341.
Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of Deltona, Fla. She was assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Joint Base Andrews, Md. For more information media may contact the Air Force Office of Special Investigations public affairs office at 571-305-8010.
Lt. Col. Frank D. Bryant Jr., 37, of Knoxville, Tenn. He was assigned to the 56th Operations Group, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. For more information media may contact the Luke Air Force Base public affairs office at 623-856-6011.
Maj. Raymond G. Estelle II, 40, of New Haven, Conn. He was assigned to Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. For more information media may contact the Headquarters Air Combat Command public affairs office at 757-764-5007.
Capt. Nathan J. Nylander, 35, of Hockley, Texas. He was assigned to the 25th Operational Weather Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. For more information media may contact the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base public affairs office at 520-228-3406.
Capt. Charles A. Ransom, 31, of Midlothian, Va. He was assigned to the 83rd Network Operations Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. For more information media may contact the 24th Air Force public affairs office at 210-977-5796.
