SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
U.S. ARMY
SSG, CO B, 2ND BATTALION, 7TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP (AIRBORNE), ELGIN AFB, FL
04/25/2012, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Andrew Trevor Britton-Mihalo was born on June 24, 1986, in San Jose, Costa Rica. He graduated from Royal High School in Simi Valley, CA. He was an Eagle Scout and a champion wrestler, winning the match that won his high school a California state championship.
SSG Britton-Mihalo enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005 as an 18X (Special Forces enlistment program). SSG Britton-Mihalo completed the Special Forces Qualification Course and earned the coveted “Green Beret” in 2008 as a Special Forces communications sergeant. Andrew Britton-Mihalo’s military education included the Warrior Leader’s Course, the Advanced Leader’s Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course and the Intelligence course. He earned a Bronze Star, and many other medals and awards. “He was an outstanding human being,” LTCOL James Brownlee, public affairs officer for the 7th Special Forces, said of Britton-Mihalo. “A great American has died for the cause.”
“The first thing anyone says about him is that ‘he is the toughest guy I have ever met’ and ‘he is the nicest guy I have ever met,’ ” wrote his brother, TJ Mathias. “Only Andrew could earn both of these compliments at the same time!”
Andrew married his wife, fellow 7th Special Forces soldier, SST Jesse Britton, in December 2011. He proposed at the 7th Special Forces’ winter formal while the group was still headquartered at Fort Bragg, NC.
Andrew Britton-Mihalo is survived by his parents, his three sisters, 2 brothers, family and friends.