Army Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Brockton, Mass.
Spc. Benson was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany; died Jan. 18, 2012 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.
The Norwood Transcript and Bulletin
NORWOOD —Army Spc. Keith D. Benson “was one of the ones you could always count on,” Cathy Connor-Moen said after learning the news of Benson’s death.
The 27-year-old was killed Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Paktika province, Afghanistan. He was serving as a medic and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.
Benson graduated from Norwood High in 2002.
Norwood High School principal George Usevich said Benson was “solid student and a real gentleman in school... he was a true son of this School on the Hill.”
Usevich said Benson found his niche at Norwood High as a member of the school’s music program.
“He was a member of our concert chorale for four years, and it was something he loved,” he said. “He really enjoyed being a part of that group.”
The Norwood High School Director of Fine Arts Connor-Moen said Benson was as a sweet kid with a great sense of humor who was always willing to help out.
“He was definitely a team player. He, within the group, was one of the ones you could always count on. He was always around and was very reliable,” Connor-Moen said. “I could see him as a medic, as the type of person you could rely on when you were nervous or scared.”
Benson’s neighbor Alan Bouffard was shocked to hear of the soldier’s death.
“My heart goes out to the family,” Bouffard said. “He was a good kid. He didn’t get himself in trouble, he was friendly, and he had close relationships with all the members of his family.”
Bouffard said Benson took his work seriously, and had plans for when he returned from serving in Afghanistan.
“He was very interested in the work he was doing in the service (as a medic), and he was interested in becoming an EMT when he got out,” Bouffard said.
Benson was the son of David Benson of Mansfield and Kathleen Benson of Norwood, and brother of Kyle Benson of Norwood. Bouffard described Kathleen as “a good neighbor and good friend” and David as “devoted to the two boys.”
Benson’s friends and former classmates at Norwood High are also in shock over the news.
“When I got home, I burst into tears. So upsetting that such a nice person, a terrific person has passed away for serving our country,” Lisa Malinowski said. She graduated Norwood High in 2003 “He was one of the kindest people I will ever meet in my life. He was a true gentleman. We always got together to watch wrestling pay-per-views, go to concerts together and just hang out as good friends did.”
Army Spc. Keith D. Benson passed away on 01/18/12.
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