The US military on Tuesday (July 21) identified the American soldier killed while attempting to disarm an Iranian drone in Iraq as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a 30-year-old from Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Swinton died during a controlled detonation on Sunday at an air base in Irbil, northern Iraq. The US military said the incident remains under investigation.
Soldier to receive posthumous honors
In a statement, the military said Swinton will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and will be promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
Quick answers to key questions
Who was Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton and how did he die?⌵
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton was a 30-year-old American soldier from Fayetteville, North Carolina, who was killed while attempting to disarm an Iranian drone in Iraq during a controlled detonation.
What posthumous honors will Sgt. Swinton receive?⌵
Sgt. Swinton will be posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and he will be promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
What are the ongoing risks faced by US soldiers in Iraq related to the conflict with Iran?⌵
US soldiers face increasing risks due to escalating hostilities with Iran, as highlighted by Sgt. Swinton’s death and the recent casualties from Iranian attacks on US forces in the region.
How many American service members have died since the conflict with Iran escalated?⌵
Since the conflict with Iran escalated, 17 American service members have been reported dead.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz significant in the US-Iran conflict?⌵
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial as it is a major global oil transport route, with one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies passing through, making it a focal point of military operations and tensions between the US and Iran.
Swinton enlisted in the US Army in 2017 and was assigned to the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Paying tribute, Brig. Gen. John L. Dawber, commanding general of the Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said: “Sgt. Swinton was an experienced noncommissioned officer who took great pride in his work and the people around him.”
He added: “He answered the call to duty with courage, honor, and selfless dedication.”
Rising US casualties
Swinton’s death came as the .
Earlier, on Friday. They were the first American troop fatalities caused by direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
The latest deaths underscore the growing risks faced by US forces deployed across the region as hostilities continue to escalate.
US identifies two soldiers killed in Jordan
The last week.
The death toll among US service members in the war with Iran climbed to 17.
Feehan served with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Southern Utah University said Feehan was weeks away from earning an MBA and will receive the degree posthumously.
And, Gonzales served with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Ansbach, Germany, after graduating from Hebron High School in Texas last year. Her school district described her decision to join the Army as a reflection of her character and service.
The military said Gonzales died on Friday and Feehan succumbed to his injuries the following day. A third US service member remains missing after the attack, though US Central Command said unidentified human remains have been recovered and are being examined.
US-Iran conflict escalates
The latest casualties came as fighting between the .
US forces carried out fresh strikes on Iranian military command centres, missile and drone launch sites, maritime assets and air defence systems. Iranian state media reported explosions across several southern and western provinces.
and attacking commercial shipping. A tanker in the was struck, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for attacks on multiple ships.
The , with about 96% returning to duty after treatment, most for minor concussions.
Shipping tensions widen
The conflict has also spread to critical global shipping routes.
With traffic through the Strait of Hormuz sharply reduced, and threatened shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over global oil supplies and trade.
Saudi Arabia said it would keep the waterway open and warned that any attacks on commercial vessels would be dealt with firmly.
According to Iranian authorities, at least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 wounded in recent US strikes. Since the war began on February 28, the US military says 17 American service members have been killed.
(With AP inputs)
