Identities of Iowa National Guard Soldiers Killed in Syria Released

UPDATE 12-15-25, 10:12 am

KCRG reports that the Iowa National Guard has confirmed the identities of the two Iowa soldiers killed in a terror attack in Syria. The soldiers are;

• 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown
• 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes

They were both members of the  1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, according to KCRG. 

ORIGINAL STORY:

One of the two Iowa Army National Guard soldiers killed during an attack in Syria over the weekend has been identified by family members. The Iowa National Guard has yet to officially name the two soldiers who died.

Family Members Share Horrible News on Social Media

The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Meskwaki Nation Police Department Chief Jeffery Bunn confirmed in a social media post that his son, Nate Howard, was one of the soldiers killed.

Bunn stated that he and his wife, Misty, had received “that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have." The Gazette reports that Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt also confirmed Howard's identity, calling his loss "deeply personal" for the community.

National Guard Soldiers were Ambushed in Syria

The Gazette reports that officials stated that the soldiers were ambushed during a "key leader engagement" in the city of Palmyra, Syria. Their mission was ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the region. The attacker was also killed in the incident. KCRG reports that the attacker had joined Syria's security forces at the base several months ago, but was recently reassigned after suspicions grew he might be associated with ISIS.

Other Soldiers Injured in the Attack

The Gazette reports that two injured soldiers remain in critical but stable condition at a hospital in Jordan. A third soldier was treated for lesser injuries and returned to base.

The attack happened on the 389th anniversary of the National Guard's founding, and marked the deadliest attack on US forces in Syria in more than one year.