The remains of Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and William Nathanial Howard, 29, who were killed in a Dec. 13 ambush in eastern Syria, were returned to Des Moines on Christmas Eve amid a solemn transfer ceremony. Both soldiers were posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and served in the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. A U.S. civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Michigan, also was killed and buried in Michigan. The attack prompted U.S. military strikes and public vows of retaliation.
Two Iowa National Guard Members Killed In Syria Returned Home On Christmas Eve
The remains of Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, the two Iowa National Guard members killed in an attack in the Syrian desert, are moved during a dignified transfer at the Des Moines International Airport in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The flag-draped remains of two Iowa National Guard members killed in a Dec. 13 ambush in eastern Syria were returned to Des Moines on Christmas Eve, bringing a solemn day of mourning for families, fellow service members and community members.
Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, and William Nathanial Howard, 29, were escorted off an Iowa Air National Guard aircraft and received by grieving family members, senior leaders of the Iowa National Guard and state officials. Loved ones gathered at the tarmac to pay final respects before each casket was placed into a hearse for processions to funeral homes in Des Moines and Marshalltown.
The two soldiers, both posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, served with the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. Their remains were flown from Delaware — where they had initially arrived at Dover Air Force Base — to Des Moines by an Iowa Air National Guard aircraft. As part of the transfer ritual, fellow Guardsmen wearing white gloves carried the caskets while family members were given time to grieve at the tarmac.
A U.S. civilian interpreter, Ayad Mansoor Sakat of Macomb, Michigan, also died in the Dec. 13 ambush and was laid to rest in Michigan over the weekend.
Dozens of people lined the route from the 132nd Wing at Des Moines International Airport on a mild December day, waving American flags and paying their respects as the funeral procession departed. The processions were escorted by the Des Moines Police Department and the Iowa State Patrol.
The ambush in eastern Syria prompted U.S. military strikes in the days that followed and public statements from national leaders pledging response. Officials and commentators described the subsequent actions in strong terms on social media.
Three other Iowa National Guard members were wounded in the attack; one received local treatment. Two of the wounded who required evacuation for medical care returned to the United States on Dec. 20.
What's next: Funeral services for Torres-Tovar and Howard are planned in the coming days, according to the Iowa National Guard.
