The three US service members killed in a weekend drone strike in Jordan were identified Monday as a decorated sergeant, a woman who hoped to return home in June and a daughter whose mother called her an “angel.”
The tragic trio were all Georgia residents from the same military unit, officials said.
Sgt. William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Spc. Brianna Moffatt, 23, of Savannah, and Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross was killed in an attack Saturday night by Iran-backed militants on a small outpost near the Syrian border.
“All the different things that he had planned, you know, fell apart overnight,” Sanders’ tearful mother, Oneida, told the Washington Post. “I just feel like someone like him, who is so full of life, it’s not fair that he won’t be able to realize the dreams that he has.”
Kennedy’s father, Shawn Sanders, a Marine veteran who affectionately called his daughter “Munchkin,” said the family was making plans to celebrate her return from the Middle East in June when they were told of her death.
The heartbroken parents described their daughter as a hard-working young woman who helped coach the local soccer and basketball teams and worked at a pharmacy while studying to become an X-ray technician.
Oneida added that Kennedy had plans to become a full-time Army soldier and also study Italian in hopes of visiting Italy once his service ends.
Army Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders of Waycross, Ga., has been identified as one of the slain US service members.
Kennedy was the first of the slain soldiers to be identified on Monday.
“Our family would like to thank you for the honor given to Kennedy. Munchkin will be missed by many,” his father wrote in a Facebook post announcing his death.
Flags in Waycross were flown at half-staff Monday for Kennedy, his family said — and Mayor Michael-Angelo James plans to hold a memorial service when his remains are returned home, WTOC reported.
The three service members who were killed served in the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, and 926th Engineer Brigade, based at Fort Moore in Georgia.
They were killed when the armed drone hit their housing unit, US officials said.
Moffett’s mother Regina said the news of her daughter’s death marked “one of the saddest days of my life.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to say that my first born Angel will be with GOD today,” the mother wrote over the weekend on Facebook.
“The pain will never go away and my life has changed forever. I will never be able to cook your favorite food, we will never be able to talk on the phone and I will never see you walk through my front door again,” he said.
“A piece of my heart and soul will always be missing,” the mother said.
“I love you Baby Girl. Rest Easy. Will always be my first born.”
Sanders (center) was identified as one of three US servicemen killed
Rivers enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2011 as an Interior Electrician and served nine months in Iraq in 2018 during Operation Inherent Resolve.
The US Army Reserve Command hails him as a decorated sergeant who has received numerous honors, including the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and other medals.
“On behalf of the Army Reserves, I share the grief felt by their friends, family and loved ones,” said Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, Chief of the Army Reserve. “Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind by this tragedy.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in an emotional statement that the three who died were all from the Peach State.
“Marty, the girls, and I are all saddened to learn of the deaths of three service members based in Georgia,” the governor said, referring to his family. “These soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country.
“This inexcusable loss of life and the terrorist attack that resulted in these casualties is a reminder of why we stand with our friends of freedom. The entire Kemp family asks Georgians everywhere to join us in keeping their loved ones lost in this attack in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.”
Sgt. William Rivers, 46, of Carrollton died after an Iranian-backed militant attack on a small outpost near the Syrian border. Army Reserve Commander
The weekend attack took place on a remote base in northeastern Jordan and marked the first American death by enemy fire in the region since US forces were put on alert after Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
The drone strike was also the deadliest attack on US troops in the Middle East since an ISIS bomb killed four American soldiers in 2019.
President Biden was quick to blame Iran, which also supports Hamas, for the attack – and vowed that the US would “retaliate.”
“While we are still gathering facts about this attack, we know it was carried out by an Iranian-backed radical militant group operating in Syria and Iran,” the president said after the attack.
Spc. Brianna Moffatt, 23, of Savannah died during the attack. Moffett’s mother Regina said the news of her own daughter’s death marked “one of the saddest days of my life.
About 34 American service members were also injured, with an unknown number of them identified as members of the Arizona National Guard, which has been stationed in Jordan since September, according to FOX 10.
“The Arizona National Guard was identified as being in the area during the January 27 unmanned aerial drone strike in northeastern Jordan, near the Syrian border,” the Arizona National Guard said in a statement.
“The facts surrounding this attack are still being gathered and it is unknown at this time how many Arizona service members were affected.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
