Peachtree City soldier dies in Afghanistan

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A solider from Peachtree City died this week in Afghanistan after his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Patrick McCloskey, 33, was on his third deployment to Afghanistan, the Army said.

He was a father of two and a Green Beret based out of Fort Bragg.

McCloskey was born in New York, but grew up in Peachtree City.

McCloskey was patrolling in Ghur Ghuri on Tuesday when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb. He died the next day, the Army said.

Two other soldiers, Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Bohle, of Maryland, and Staff Sgt. Joshua M. Mills, of Texas, also died in the attack, the Army reported. The three were assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Airborne Group.

McCloskey enlisted in January 2002 and completed Special Forces training in May 2004, earning the "Green Beret" title.

He was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2009 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. In addition to his three tours in Afghanistan, he served in Colombia as a Special Forces intelligence sergeant, the Army said.

McCloskey's numerous medals and awards include a a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and the National Defense Service Medal.

He leaves his wife Jessica, daughter Katie and son Collin, of Raeford, N.C., along with his parents, Patrick and Kathryn McCloskey, of Fayetteville.