R.I.P. - Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Brittonmihalo

DOD Identifies Army Casualty

                 The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

                Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Brittonmihalo, 25, of Simi Valley, Calif., died April 25, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from small arms fire.  He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

                For more information related to this release, the media may contact Special Forces public affairs at 910-689-6187.

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A Green Beret from Simi Valley, Andrew Britton, was killed Wednesday in Afghanistan. Craig Mathias, who with his wife, Danette, cared for him during his senior year at Royal High School, confirmed the news Thursday.
The Department of Defense has so far not released any information or confirmed Britton's death. Britton — known as Andrew Mihalo when he lived in Simi Valley — was 25. He was raised in Simi Valley and stayed on to complete high school there after his mother and stepfather moved out of state.
His mother now resides in North Carolina, while his sister, Michelle Caranza, lives in Simi Valley.
Britton last visited Ventura County in November with his fiancee, Jesse, also a soldier believed to now be serving with the Army in Afghanistan. The couple married in December and they were based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. Craig Mathias said Britton, who was a champion CIF wrestler at Royal and an Eagle Scout, joined the Army Special Forces right out of high school and advanced quickly. He was always fighting for the underdog and very patriotic, fearless but not reckless he said. He was very humble, just a great, great person. We were as close as friends could be. We were like brothers, said Travis Mathias, 24, who knew Britton since he was 9 years old. He was the smallest guy but the hardest worker, he said. He was just the nicest guy in the world and he loved to protect others.

Posted in: 7th Special Forces Group, Afghanistan, Eglin Air Force Base, fallen heros, Kandahar Province, Operation Enduring Freedom, Simi Valley