NEWPORT — A U.S. Army captain and 2004 graduate of Foxcroft Academy was killed Monday when his helicopter crashed while on patrol with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade in Afghanistan.

Capt. John “Jay” R. Brainard, III, 26, of Newport, was piloting an AH-64 helicopter when it went down on Memorial Day, according to news releases from Maine’s congressional delegation and Gov. Paul R. LePage.

Brainard was a 2008 graduate of the University of Maine. His parents still live in Newport.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Capt. Brainard’s family, as he made the ultimate sacrifice,” Arnold Shorey, Head of School at Foxcroft Academy said late Tuesday. “Teachers and staff members remember Capt. Brainard as a very determined young man who overcame some obstacles in his life, but knew during his high school career that he wanted to be in the military.

“We are proud to say he is a Pony and have the sincerest appreciation for his service to our country.”

There were no details on how or where the crash happened. The cause is being investigated, said U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-First District.

“On Memorial Day, Capt. Brainard gave his life in the service of his country,” Pingree said. “Our state and our nation owe him a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emily, who he met when they attended the University of Maine together, and with his parents in Newport. During this time of sorrow and loss, I hope they know that we will never forget his sacrifice.”

According to the winter 2008 edition of the Foxcroft Academy magazine “Foxcroft,” Jay Brainard was commissioned into the active-duty army as a second lieutenant in the Aviation Corps on May 9, 2008. He graduated from University of Maine, Orono, that year with a batchelor’s degree in political science.

He was set to attend Army Officers Basic Course in January, 2009, and was to go to flight school.

“Captain Brainard served his state and nation with the highest honor, valor, and distinction, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family,” U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, D-2nd District, said in a release late Tuesday.

LePage said Maine is forever indebted to Brainard for dedicating himself to “defending our state and nation.”

“It is with a heavy heart that I express my sincere condolences to his family and friends,” the governor said. “This news never comes easy and is especially difficult knowing this young man made the ultimate sacrifice on Memorial Day. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Capt. Brainard and I join with all Mainers to forever remember him as a true son of the State of Maine.”

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she was saddened to learn of Brainard’s death.

“As we pause this week to reflect upon our nation’s fallen heroes, this is a somber reminder of the heroism of all the men and women who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Collins said. “My thoughts and prayers are with Captain Brainard’s family, his friends, and his fellow soldiers.”

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, said Brainard answered the call to duty and his service stands as an enduring testment to the best of America.

“I join with all Mainers today in expressing my most profound sorrow for the loss of one of our own, Capt. John Brainard, whose unfathomable sacrifice in defending our nation and the values which we hold so dear will forever live on in the collective heart of an eternally grateful country,” Snowe said. “For those who make this ultimate sacrifice on behalf of us all, there are no words to express both our boundless gratitude and immense grief.”

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com