The tragic deaths of two Iowa National Guard soldiers have drawn significant attention as they return home to their families for final farewells. Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, and Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, were killed during an attack in Syria.
Iowa National Guard Soldiers Killed in Syria: Honorable Return
The remains of Staff Sgts. Howard and Torres-Tovar landed at the Iowa Air National Guard base in Des Moines on Christmas Eve. They were killed by an ISIS gunman in Palmyra on December 13, marking a somber moment for their families and the state of Iowa.
Military Honors and Tributes
The transfer of the soldiers’ remains was conducted with full military honors. Fellow guard members carried the flag-draped caskets off a KC-135 aircraft arriving from Dover Air Force Base. Governor Kim Reynolds, Senator Joni Ernst, and U.S. Representative Zach Nunn were present to pay their respects.
- Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard: Age 29, from Marshalltown
- Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar: Age 25, from Des Moines
Funeral Arrangements
Funeral services are scheduled for the upcoming weekend. Details are as follows:
- William Nathaniel Howard: Visitation on Saturday at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown.
- Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar: Visitation on Sunday at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home in Des Moines, followed by funeral and burial on Monday.
The services are open to the public, allowing the community to honor these fallen soldiers. A civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat, was also killed in the same attack that critically injured three additional Iowa National Guard members.
Community Support and Response
As part of the processions to their final resting places, Iowa State Patrol and local police escorted the hearses. Citizens waved flags and gathered along the streets to express their support.
This incident marks the first fatalities for the Iowa National Guard in active duty since 2011, highlighting the dangers faced by service members overseas.
Efforts are ongoing to treat the injured soldiers. Two are currently receiving care in the U.S., while a third has returned to duty after receiving treatment in Syria.
