September 19, 2014

Michael Donahue - U.S. Military Fatality - Afghanistan

Michael Donahue
Maj. Michael J. Donahue, age 41, of Columbus, Ohio, died on September 16, 2014, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

At about 8:00 a.m. on September 16, a Taliban suicide bomber drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into a foreign military convoy near the American Special Operations base, killing Michael Donahue, Stephen Byus, (a Navy Reservist), and a Polish soldier.

Michael was a native of Massachusetts. He graduated in 1990 from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in Whitman, Massachusetts. He graduated from the DeVry Institute of Technology with an associate’s degree in electronics.

He enlisted in the Army in February of 1996. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in April of 2000. He had been stationed at Fort Bragg since 2012.

His parents and his wife and children live in North Carolina.

This was his third combat tour of duty.

Michael's military comrades are in mourning over the death of their brother. Military officials describe him as an exceptional officer and a huge part of their team. He will be forever remembered.

He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for a previous deployment, and has received
Light a candle for Michael.  Light his
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15 other awards and ribbons, including the Purple Heart.

Michael's family members are devastated by his sudden and tragic death. Family members said that he was an avid Red Sox fan, was into running and marathons and had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone. He will be forever mourned.

Michael is survived by many loving comrades, friends and relatives including his parents, Patricia and John Donahue; his sister, Joanne Nickerson; his wife, Sherri; and children - Victoria, Seamus, and Bailey.

Thank you for serving, Mike.

Pray without ceasing unto God for an end to this war in Afghanistan. It is enough. We are sick with grief for men like Michael.

Pray that Michael is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

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