The two Iowa National Guard members killed along with a civilian interpreter by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria were identified as a pair of dedicated sergeants, military officials said Monday.
Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathanial Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were remembered for their “courage and sacrifice” by the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Steven Nordhaus in a statement Monday.
“Our hearts are with their families, loved ones and the Iowa National Guard during this time of profound sorrow,” he said on X.
Iowa National Guard named Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard as one of the men killed in Syria. AP“We honor their courage and sacrifice, and we will never forget them or their service.”
The pair were in the war-torn country supporting ongoing counter-terrorism operations when they were ambushed, along with other soldiers while US and Syrian security officials were meeting Saturday, according to Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba.
A civilian working as a US interpreter was also killed, and three other soldiers were injured in the Syrian desert near the city of Palmyra.
The gunman was killed by Syrian security forces.
US Central Command has said the shooting was committed by a lone ISIS gunman and comes a year after autocratic leader Bashar Assad was booted.
“Our hearts go out to their families, and we lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort during this time of grief,” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on X.
“The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force. Their memory will live on through their families, their fellow warriors still serving our country, and in my unwavering commitment to our warfighters around the globe.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the two slain troops.
“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice,” she said in a statement. “We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”
Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar was the second man named dead after the attack in Syria. APBoth were in the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, according to the governor’s office.
Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, called Torres-Tovar and Howard “dedicated professionals and cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard.
“Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten,” he added.
Torres-Tovar and Howard were honored as “cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard family. Meskwaki Nation Police Department – Iowa/FacebookA group connected to the Iowa National Guard said in a member spotlight in April that Howard had been serving for about 11 years with a goal to retire after two decades of service.
His wife, Arianna Howard, told the New York Times her husband loved his country and fellow soldiers.
“He always put everyone first before himself,” she said, describing him as a “fun and loving husband.”
Howard’s stepfather, Meskwaki Nation Police Department Chief Jeffrey Bunn, previously remembered him as someone who “would be the first in and last out, no one left behind.”
Hundreds of US troops are in eastern Syria as part of a coalition with Syrian security forces taking on terrorists.
With Post wires
