Two Iowa Heroes Fall in Brutal ISIS Attack: U.S. Army Names National Guard Members Killed in Syria Ambush
- SGT William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and SGT Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, identified as victims of deadly attack in Syrian desert
- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds orders flags to fly at half-staff in honor of the fallen heroes
- Three other U.S. personnel wounded, including two Iowa National Guard members, in attack blamed on Islamic State group
In a heartbreaking development, the U.S. Army has named the two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend ambush in Syria, which the military has blamed on the Islamic State group. SGT William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, and SGT Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, were identified as the victims of the deadly attack.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor, saying, “We! are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss.”
The attack, which occurred on Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra, was a major test for the rapprochement between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago. Hundreds of American troops are deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.
A U.S. civilian working as an interpreter was also killed in the attack, and three other Guard members were wounded, with two of them in stable condition and the other in good condition.
According to a Syrian official, the gunman, who was a member of Syria’s internal security forces, had joined two months ago and was recently reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS. The assailant stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards.
The incident is under investigation, and President Donald Trump has vowed to retaliate against IS, saying they “will be hit hard.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also paid tribute to the fallen heroes, saying, “Our hearts go out to their families, and we lift them up in prayer for strength and comfort during this time of grief.”
Torres-Tovar and Howard were remembered as dedicated soldiers and “cherished members” of the Iowa National Guard family. Howard had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy and was inspired by his grandfather’s service. He had served for over 11 years and was described by his stepfather as an “amazing man of faith.”
Torres-Tovar was described by his fellow soldiers as “very positive,” family-oriented, and always putting others first. The Iowa National Guard has pledged to provide unwavering support to their families during this unimaginable time.