The quiet of a December Saturday shattered in Palmyra, Syria, claiming the lives of two Iowa National Guard soldiers. Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, from Des Moines, fell while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission dedicated to defeating ISIS.
Details remain scarce as an investigation unfolds, but the attack involved an ambush that also injured three other Iowa National Guard soldiers. Two required urgent medical evacuation and are currently reported to be in stable condition, while a third received local treatment and is doing well.
Both Howard and Torres Tovar served with the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, a unit deeply rooted in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Their deployment was part of a broader U.S. effort to advise, assist, and empower local forces in the ongoing fight against ISIS in the Middle East.
Major General Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, spoke with profound sorrow, describing the fallen soldiers as “dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family.” He emphasized their representation of the very best qualities of Iowa, and pledged unwavering support to their families during this devastating time.
The loss is felt acutely within the Iowa National Guard, where efforts are now focused on honoring the memory of Howard and Torres Tovar. The goal is to ensure their sacrifice and legacy are never forgotten, a solemn promise made to their loved ones and the state they served.
The Department of War has authorized the release of their names, a gesture acknowledging the weight of their service and the profound impact of their loss. While the names of the wounded soldiers are withheld per policy, the entire unit stands united in grief and remembrance.
