West Point grad from Pa. dies in Afghanistan

APOLLO, Pa. (AP) — A West Point graduate from western Pennsylvania has died in Afghanistan, the soldier’s family confirmed.

Second Lt. Michael Girdano, 23, of Apollo, died Friday, just over a month into his first overseas deployment, according to his brother, Nunzio.

Girdano had dreamed of attending the U.S. Military Academy since visiting the campus in about sixth grade.

“He came back when he was that young and said that’s what he wanted to do,” Nunzio Girdano said Sunday. “It takes a lot of work to get into West Point. Everyone was very proud of him.”

The military had not yet announced the death, but the family believes he died of injuries from an improvised explosive device.

Girdano had been a football captain and second baseman at Apollo-Ridge High School, where he also belonged to the National Honor Society. U.S. Rep. John Murtha nominated him for the academy.