The U.S. Army introduced Friday that it posthumously promoted one of many Georgia-based troopers killed after a drone assault struck an set up in Jordan late final month.
Sgt. William Rivers, 46, was promoted to workers sergeant, in response to U.S. Army Reserve Command. Sgt. Kennedy Sanders and Sgt. Breonna Moffett — two different troopers from the identical unit who had been killed within the assault by an Iran-linked militia that injured greater than 40 service members — had been posthumously promoted earlier this week.
The promotions got here upfront of the troopers’ dignified stays switch at Dover Air Power Base, Delaware, on Friday, the place President Joe Biden attended the second stays switch of his presidency. The primary was after 13 service members had been killed through the chaotic army withdrawal of Afghanistan.
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Senior army leaders, together with Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin, had been in attendance. The three troopers had been killed when a one-way drone struck their container housing items at Tower 22, a small logistics base on Jordan’s border with Syria, in response to the Pentagon.
In line with The Related Press, the Bidens, together with first woman Jill Biden, met privately with the households of the fallen earlier than the dignified switch ceremony.
On Thursday, throughout a press convention, Austin stated that the drone assault on Tower 22 was performed by the “axis of resistance, and these are Iranian proxy teams.”
“How a lot Iran knew or did not know, we do not know,” he stated. “Nevertheless it actually would not matter as a result of Iran sponsors these teams, it funds these teams and, in some instances, it trains these teams on superior standard weapons.”
The troopers had been assigned to Georgia’s 718th Engineer Firm, an Army Reserve unit.
“I’m honored to announce the posthumous promotion of Sgt. William Rivers from sergeant to workers sergeant,” Brig. Gen. Noel Palmer, the deputy commanding basic of the 412th Theater Engineer Command, stated in a press launch Friday.
It’s unclear why the posthumous promotions didn’t happen concurrently.
“This development in rank is a recognition of his braveness, honor and constancy in service to this nice nation,” Palmer stated. “Although we mourn the tragic lack of Employees Sgt. Rivers, we hope this recognition supplies some consolation to this household and exhibits our dedication to recollect his legacy of loyal service.”
Rivers enlisted within the Army Reserve in 2011 as an inside electrician. In 2018, he deployed to Iraq in assist of the U.S.’s mission to make sure the defeat of ISIS. Rivers will likely be honored in Carroll County, Georgia, the place his identify will likely be added to the county’s veterans memorial.
“All through his service, he demonstrated a deep dedication to his fellow troopers and the mission,” the press launch stated.
Associated: Army Posthumously Promotes 2 Georgia Troopers Who Have been Killed by Iran Militia Drone Assault in Jordan
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