The two American soldiers who were killed in an ambush in Syria have been named and remembered as ‘cherished heroes’ after President Trump vowed revenge for their deaths.
Iowa National Guardsmen Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar, 25, of Grimes, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, were shot dead during the early morning attack on a US and Syrian convoy Saturday.
They died alongside a US civilian who was working with them as an interpreter and a Syrian officer, officials said.
In a post to his Truth Social just hours after the ambush, President Trump said: ‘This was an ISIS attack against the US, and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by them.
‘The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.’
The ISIS-linked gunman was engaged and killed, with investigations continuing into whether the inidividual had direct ties to the Islamic State or merely adopted its ideology.
Now two of the victims have been named, tributes have been pouring in from across the country.
‘Today, we honor the memory and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar by sharing their names with a grateful state and nation,’ Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn said in a news release Monday.
‘They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family who represented the best of Iowa,’ he added.
Sgt Howard (pictured) had been away from home for an extended period, his wife said
Sgt Torrestovar was remembered by his family as ‘a good person’ who will be ‘missed deeply’
Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar, 25, of Grimes, Iowa, was remembered as a hero after his death on Saturday
Nate had been married to his wife Arianna for three years
‘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.’
Sqt Howard, known to friends as Nate, was described by his wife Arianna as a ‘loving husband’ and dedicated soldier who served his country with bravery.
‘He was an amazing soldier and always put so much effort into his military career. I also want him to be remembered as an amazing and loving husband,’ she told the Times-Republican.
‘We would’ve been together for seven years at the end of this month (three years married. He had such a kind and funny soul and always loved me for who I am. I never want anyone to forget about him and his sacrifice.
She added in the heartbreaking tribute: ‘I will miss everything about Nate. He was my soulmate, my shoulder to cry on. It makes it even harder that he was away on deployment, and I wasn’t able to physically be with him for six months.
‘We just bought a new homestead that we were supposed to grow old in, but unfortunately we can’t make those memories like we planned.’
Sqt Torrestovar’s sister Krystal shared a tribute post on Facebook describing her heartbreak at losing him.
‘I miss you. we all miss you. You only had a couple more months left till you came back home, but they took you away from us so soon.
‘Why did this cruel world have to take you away. This all seems so unreal, part of me wants to believe it’s all a dream, that we could turn back the time and never let you go to Syria,’ she went on.
‘You were a good person, brother, son, uncle, friend and you will be deeply missed Edgar… I will forever cherish that last hug and last I love you.’
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.