The U.S. Department of Defense has identified the three Army soldiers killed at a base in Jordan during a drone attack by Iran-backed militants.
On Monday (January 29), the Department of Defense said 46-year-old Sgt. William Rivers of Willingboro, New Jersey, 24-year-old Spc. Kennedy Sanders of Waycross, Georgia, and 23-year-old Spc. Breonna Moffett of Savannah, Georgia died on Sunday (January 28) after a drone hit their housing units, per USA Today.
Their deaths mark the first among U.S. troops killed in the Middle East since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
At least 40 other troops were wounded in Sunday's attack. More injuries could be reported as 350 Army and Air Force personnel were deployed to the base that was hit.
The three victims were all assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, and 926th Engineer Brigade, which is based in Fort Moore, Georgia. At the time of their deaths, the trio was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, which aimed to defeat the Islamic State terror group, the Defense Department said.
In a statement, Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, chief of the Army Reserve, said the soldiers' deaths have "left an indelible mark on the United States Army Reserve."
"These Citizen-Soldiers died in service to their country on Jan. 28, 2024, in Jordan," Daniels said. "On behalf of the Army Reserve, I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family, and loved ones. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy."
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