President Trump solemnly saluted as the remains of two Iowa National Guardsmen and a U.S. civilian interpreter arrived at Dover Air Force Base after an ambush near Palmyra, Syria. Trump blamed ISIS and vowed "serious retaliation," while CENTCOM reported three other U.S. soldiers were wounded. He attended the dignified transfer with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and privately met the victims' families for nearly an hour. No U.S. response had been announced at the time of the transfer.
Trump Salutes Fallen Soldiers at Dover, Vows Retaliation After Attack Near Palmyra
President Donald Trump, from left, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine and others salute as a carry team moves the transfer case with the remains of Iowa National Guard soldiers. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware — President Donald Trump stood in solemn salute Wednesday as the flag-draped cases of three Americans were carried across the tarmac, honoring two Iowa National Guardsmen and a U.S. civilian interpreter killed in an attack in Syria.
A gray C-17 transport arrived with the remains of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar, 25, of Des Moines. The body of Ayad Mansoor Sakat, a U.S. civilian who had worked as an interpreter, followed.
The men were killed after an assailant on Saturday ambushed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian officials near the ancient city of Palmyra. CENTCOM said three additional U.S. soldiers were wounded in the assault.
Blame and Response
President Trump attributed the attack to the Islamic State group (ISIS) and pledged "serious retaliation," telling reporters at the White House that he intended to strike the group "hard." As of Wednesday, U.S. officials had not announced a military response.
Dignified Transfer and Private Condolences
Trump attended the dignified transfer alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. There were no public remarks at Dover; after the transfer, the president privately met with the victims' families for nearly an hour.
Speaking to reporters later at Joint Base Andrews, Trump described the ceremony as "a beautiful event for three great people." This was the first dignified transfer he had witnessed since returning to office in January. During his first term, he said watching fallen service members return home was his "toughest" duty as president.
Note: The Pentagon and CENTCOM are continuing to investigate the attack and assess options. Further updates will depend on official announcements from Department of Defense and White House sources.
