Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 22: US President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer ceremony of four American service members killed during military operations in the Middle East when their remains arrive at Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday, the White House said.
The ceremony, regarded as one of the most solemn responsibilities of a US president, marks the return of fallen military personnel to their families. It will be the third such ceremony attended by Trump since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict in February.
According to a US administration official, the remains of two soldiers killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan will be returned, along with the remains of a third soldier who had been reported missing after the same attack and is now presumed dead. The remains of another soldier killed in Iraq during the detonation of an Iranian drone will also be received.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump described attending the ceremony as a great honour.
The Department of Defense identified the soldiers killed in Jordan as First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas. Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, who went missing following the Jordan attack, is now believed to have died in the incident.
The soldier killed in Iraq was identified as Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Spring Lake, North Carolina.
Expressing condolences, Trump said the soldiers had sacrificed their lives while serving to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He added that US military operations against Iran were being carried out in honour of the fallen personnel.
The United States has launched multiple retaliatory strikes against Iran following the collapse of an interim agreement aimed at ending hostilities. Trump recently warned that Iran would face severe consequences for every American soldier killed.
Since the conflict began on February 28, a total of 18 US service members have lost their lives.
Trump also referred to the attack in Jordan, saying that although most incoming missiles and drones had been intercepted, a small number had penetrated the defences. He suggested that shortcomings in the protection of US forces may have contributed to the casualties but did not specify who he believed was responsible.
During a dignified transfer ceremony, flag-draped transfer cases carrying the remains of fallen service members are moved from the aircraft to waiting vehicles before being taken to the military mortuary, where preparations are made for their final burial.
Feehan will be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. He served with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Gonzales, assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Ansbach, Germany, had graduated from Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas, last year.
Rampersad served with the 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, also based in Ansbach, Germany.
Swinton, who enlisted in the US Army in 2017, served with the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg. He will be posthumously promoted to Staff Sergeant and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.