(Des Moines, IA) — The remains of two Iowa National Guard Soldiers killed in Syria will return home today. The bodies of Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of Des Moines and William Nathaniel Howard will arrive at the Des Moines International Airport around 1 p.m.
Both soldiers and a U.S. civilian were killed in an attack on December 13 and promoted to the rank of staff sergeant posthumously in honor of their sacrifice. The group was part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, based out of Boone, Iowa. Three other Iowa National Guard soldiers were injured in the attack, and an interpreter who was not from Iowa was pronounced dead. Syrian security forces killed the lone attacker.
A procession led by multiple law enforcement agencies will carry Howard’s remains to his hometown of Marshalltown. A service for Howard is scheduled for Saturday morning at Marshalltown High School. Visitation for Torres-Tovar will be held on Sunday, with a funeral and burial on Monday.
