Highly decorated Green Beret from Mass. among 3 killed in Afghanistan

BOSTON — Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Michael Emond had been previously injured in Afghanistan years ago. But that didn't stop the 39-year-old Massachusetts native from going back to war and defending his country.

On Tuesday, Emond, a married father of three, made the ultimate sacrifice when he died from his injuries, after an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle in Andar, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Two other servicemen were also killed in the attack.

"He cared more about other people than himself. He cared more about others," said Dan Magoon of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes.

"You have to remember. Eric was here rebounding from a previous injury. He was already injured, blown up. He had a chance with death he came back from," Magoon said.

Also killed in the attack were Army Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross, 29, of Lexington, Virginia and Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin, 25, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania, according to the Department of Defense.

Emond, who formerly lived in Dorchester and Fall River, leaves behind a wife and three young children. News of his death brought some who knew him to tears.

"He was kind. He was always just good hearted," said family friend Mairin Keady of Dorchester. "He was dedicated and devoted to just being of service."

Emond was a highly decorated soldier, with a three-time Bronze Star medal, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, and more than a dozen other medals.

Tributes to the fallen servicemen poured in on social media on Wednesday.

In a tweet, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the three servicemen "gave the greatest sacrifice serving our country."

In a statement, Gov. Charlie Baker called Emond "a highly decorated soldier" who honorably served the nation.

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Army Sgt. 1st Class Eric Michael Emond and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time," Baker said. "Sgt. Emond was a highly decorated soldier and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be forever grateful for his bravery and honorable service to the country throughout seven tours of duty overseas.”

Congressman Seth Moulton tweeted his sympathy after learning of Emond's death.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren also tweeted about the fallen servicemen on Wednesday.

Andrew DelRossi Biggio told Boston 25 News he met Emond in 2009 while interning at the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.

“He just came in for the scoop on what services were out there and how to help,” DelRossi Biggio said.

Emond was rehabilitating in Massachusetts at the time after suffering serious brain and spine injuries in Afghanistan.

“We became friends,” DelRossi Biggio said. “For a year straight, we worked with other veterans in the state creating organizations that are still running today, helping to memorialize veterans from the Commonwealth who have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Multiple organizations have spawned off of Emond’s hard work.

DelRossi Biggio called Emond a true warrior.

“He didn’t have to go back in the Army after he was wounded,” DelRossi Biggio said. “He chose to. Now three more tours later, he sacrificed his life for us.”

DelRossi Biggio said Emond was humble about his service and the way he led his warrior life.

“He didn’t want to be the center of attention at all,” DelRossi Biggio said. “He motivated me. I looked up to him.

Emond and Ross were assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Elchin was assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

They were supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel when they were killed.

Cox Media Group