2 Soldiers Who Died amid the U.S. War Against Iran, Including 1 Killed in Iranian Attack on Air Base, Are Identified

Two more U.S. soldiers who died over the weekend amid the ongoing U.S. war against Iran have been identified.

Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, N.Y., was identified as the third person killed during a Friday, July 17, enemy attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, the U.S. Department of Defense announced in a news release on Tuesday, July 21.

The department said Rampersad had previously been announced as missing following the attack and her status has since been updated to a “Duty Status–Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased.” Authorities said the incident is “under investigation.”

First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, were previously confirmed as the two soldiers who had died in the attack.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a July 19 update that, in addition to the two casualties, military personnel found unidentified remains at the location, which were being examined for identification. It is unclear whether those remains belonged to Rampersad.

“Sgt. Rampersad was ᴀssigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany,” the department said on Tuesday.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul paid tribute to Rampersad in a post on X, writing, “Tonight, New York mourns the loss of one of our own, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of Ozone Park… My heart is with her family, loved ones, and the soldiers who stood beside her as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”

“Sgt. Rampersad lived a life of courage and selflessness. May we honor her memory, remember her sacrifice, and keep all who loved her in our prayers,” she added.

Another U.S. soldier who was “supporting overseas operations in Iraq” was killed on Sunday, July 19. He was identified as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, N.C., in a separate release on Tuesday.

Swinton was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, the department said in a statement, adding that the “incident is under investigation.”

“Sgt. Swinton was ᴀssigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina,” the department said.

Swinton’s mother, Christel Swinton Andujar, told WRAL that he leaves behind a wife, 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.

“He loved his job, he loved his country, and he loved the leadership in this country. He deserves to be honored…,” she told the outlet. “Above all else, Michael’s greatest love was his family. His wife, Mia, and two beautiful children were the center of his world. Every decision he made, and every sacrifice he endured, was with them in his heart. His love for them was unconditional, selfless and unwavering.”

Mia Gonzalez-Swinton also shared a tribute to her husband on Facebook, alongside a pH๏τo of him in his army gear, hugging his daughter before deployment.

“I didn’t think this would be the last time I ever saw you. I have no words,” she wrote. “I was informed this morning that my husband, Michael, was killed while serving in Iraq. I’m navigating how to process this so please bear with me.”