Chief Warrant Officer Edward Cantrell, a decorated Green Beret with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), tragically lost his life on March 6 while attempting to rescue his two young daughters from a house fire at their home in Hope Mills, North Carolina. His wife survived the fire. Edward was 36 years old.
Born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, Cantrell began his Army career in 1994 as a military policeman. His early assignments took him to South Korea, Fort Bragg, and Bosnia during Operation Joint Endeavor. His dedication to service led him to the elite ranks of the Special Forces. After graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2004, he joined the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served as a Communications and Intelligence Sergeant on multiple combat deployments.
In 2009, Cantrell became a Warrant Officer and returned to the field as an Assistant Detachment Commander on an Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA) the core tactical unit of U.S. Army Special Forces. Over his career, he completed six combat deployments, including one to Iraq and five to Afghanistan, most recently returning from Operation Enduring Freedom in August 2011.
Edward Cantrell’s legacy is one of bravery, service, and selfless love. His final act, trying to save his children, epitomizes the character of a soldier, father, and hero.
