Decorated Army Capt., Ridgewood Native Andrew Caswell Dead At 35

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Army Capt. Andrew F. Caswell, a village native and decorated Army veteran who served several tours of duty overseas, died Tuesday.

Caswell, 35, served three tours of duty in Iraq as a medic and one tour of duty in Afghanistan as a physician assistant, his obituary stated.

Caswell, of Carthage, New York, was born Dec. 17, 1983 and enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school.

"He was an exceptional student in my physical education class, and obviously, an exceptional and successful adult," Jill Gregg Eder said on Caswell's obituary page.

While serving in the military, he graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor's degree and earned his master's degree in 2012.

He became a physician assistant, a job title he would have during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was a medic while serving three tours in Iraq.

"It was an honor serving with you in combat our first tour, you were an exceptional soldier with a bright, shining mind and you will be missed by your brothers in arms and family," Karen Fallis Mutz said on Caswell's obituary page.

Caswell received several military honors while serving: Two Bronze Star Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Valorous Unit Awards, four Army Good Conduct Medals, and two National Defense Service Medals, among several others.

Caswell married Tamara D. Johnson on Sept. 2, 2018.

He is survived by his wife, four children, David, Kaitlyn, Nathan, and Alexander; parents Luanne and Clarence; sister Laura; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations in Caswell's name may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Army Capt. Andrew F. Caswell, 35 (Courtesy of Hart & Bruce Funeral Home)