Trump on Wednesday paid tribute to four American soldiers killed in the Middle East,
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday paid tribute to four US service members killed in the Middle East, attending a solemn transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as their remains were returned to the United States.Trump saluted as four flag-draped transport bags were carried from a military plane during the ceremony, which was also attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kaine, and members of Congress.Speaking later at an event in Georgia, Trump called the ceremony “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”“I’ve been there many times before. This, in particular, was very sad,” he said.Earlier in the day, Trump said his message to grieving families was simple: “We love you. We love your child.”
The remains include two US Army soldiers killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan, a third soldier believed to have died in the same attack after previously being listed as missing, and another soldier killed in Iraq in the bombing of an Iranian drone.The Pentagon identified the two soldiers killed in Jordan as Tyler James Fehan (25 years old) from Hawaii, and Isabella Gonzalez (19 years old) from Texas.
The soldier believed to have been killed in the same attack was identified as Angel S. Rampersad, 28, is from New York. A fourth service member, Michael Emanuel Swinton, 30, of North Carolina, was killed in Iraq.Trump said that the Feehan family traveled with him on Air Force One to Georgia. During his remarks, he remembered the young officer as an “impeccable” person who “was going all the way – he was going to be a general.”Addressing Faihan’s parents, Trump said: “We will carry the memory of Tyler in our hearts forever, and I just want to thank you. It is an honor to be here today.”Trump has repeatedly linked the deaths of soldiers to the ongoing conflict with Iran.“These great people, these great patriots were fighting so that Iran could not have a nuclear weapon,” he said earlier this week, adding that US strikes on Iran were being carried out “in honor” of fallen soldiers.Trump on Monday also vowed to avenge American losses, saying: “Every time Iran kills an American soldier, they will pay for that killing many times over!”According to the administration, 18 US service members have been killed since the conflict began on February 28.Trump also said Tuesday that although most incoming Iranian fire targeting American sites in Jordan has been intercepted, “they passed something in Jordan.”
He added: “If we had other operators, you know, this wouldn’t have happened, unfortunately… We let other people do the job – and sometimes it doesn’t work out.”The president did not clarify who he was referring to.The Pentagon said Feehan will be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. Gonzalez, Rampersad and Swinton also served in air defense units, while Swinton will also receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge and will be posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.
