CHESHIRE, Mass. — Sergeant First Class Daniel Henry Petithory, 32, of 289 Railroad St., Cheshire, was killed in action on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2001, while serving in the Army in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Born in Pittsfield on June 30, 1969, he was the son of Louis and Barbara LaRoche Petithory. He graduated in 1987 from Hoosac Valley High School. Immediately following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

He attended Air Assault School at Fort Rucker, Ala. A military police officer, he had been stationed at Fort McClelland, Ala., where he was a member of the Special Reaction Team. He served several times in Kuwait. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Green Berets, serving as a communications expert in the 5th Special Forces Group, stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky.

Sgt. Petithory was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, where he served as an altar boy. While in high school, he won several martial arts competitions.

Besides his parents, he leaves a brother, Michael T. Petithory of Otis; a sister, Nicole S. Petithory of Cheshire; his girlfriend, Liza Krise of Clarksville, Tenn.; and a niece and nephew.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m., in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, concelebrated by the Rev. David Raymond, pastor, and the Rev. Thomas Begley, retired pastor. Burial with full military honors will follow in Cheshire Cemetery.

Calling hours are Wednesday, Dec. 12, 4-7 p.m., at Dery-Cheshire Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Daniel H. Petithory Scholarship Fund through the funeral home, 121 North State Road, Cheshire, MA 01225.