Trump participates in dignified transfer honoring U.S. soldiers killed in Syria
Washington — President Trump participated in a solemn and dignified transfer Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, in honor of two Iowa National Guard members and an interpreter killed in Syria over the weekend.
The two guards killed Saturday in the Syrian desert were Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, according to the U.S. Army. They were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. Ayad Mansoor Sakat, an American civilian who worked as an interpreter, was also killed. The Pentagon said that a An ISIS gunman ambushed them.
On the base’s solemn, silent tarmac, soldiers carried transfer cases containing the remains of a plane to waiting vehicles. The president, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top military brass saluted and looked ahead. Also in attendance were Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.
President Trump salutes as transport crews move the transfer case with the remains of Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar. Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. / Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
The president met privately with the families of the deceased before the transfer. First lady Melania Trump was scheduled to join the event, but a White House official said she could no longer attend.
Photos released by the Iowa National Guard show Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, left, and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar. / Credit: Iowa National Guard via AP
It was the first dignified transfer event Mr. Trump attended since taking office in January, although he has attended dignified transfer events during his first term.
The solemn and dignified transfer of the remains to Dover Air Force Base is intended to honor those who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country. The remains are being transferred to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Mortuary Facility at Dover Air Force Base.
“Dignified transfer is not a ceremony; rather, it is a solemn movement of the transfer box by a transport team composed of service members from the fallen service member’s respective service,” states Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. “A dignified transfer is made for every American service member who dies in theater of operations while serving their country.”
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