An active-duty Army soldier who was killed in an explosion while helping dispose of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq has been identified as the 17th U.S. military fatality tied to the conflict with Iran.
The Department of Defense on Tuesday identified the soldier as 30-year-old Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Swinton died Sunday at Erbil Air Base during a “controlled detonation of a downed one-way unmanned aerial system.”
Swinton is the third U.S. service member killed in connection with the conflict over the past week.
“USASMDC is saddened by the loss of Sgt. Swinton, whose death occurred during an operation to safeguard fellow Soldiers,” Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty, commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement to NOTUS.
Trending
“His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain. We will support Sgt. Swinton’s family and his unit during this difficult period. His loss will inspire his fellow Soldiers to continue the mission,” Rafferty said.
Swinton is survived by his wife and two children — a 4-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son — according to his mother, Christel Swinton Andujar, who spoke with local news station WRAL.
“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,” Swinton Andujar said.
“I didn’t think this would be the last time I ever saw you. I have no words,” Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, the soldier’s wife, said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
“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,” she added.
According to the Army, Swinton earned multiple military decorations during his service, including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.
“Sgt. Swinton was an experienced noncommissioned officer who took great pride in his work and the people around him,” Brig. Gen. John L. Dawber, commanding general of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement. “He answered the call to duty with courage, honor, and selfless dedication.”
Swinton’s death follows the killing of two other U.S. service members over the weekend in an Iranian attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Those victims were identified Monday as U.S. Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, a 19-year-old from Texas, and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, a 25-year-old from Hawaii.
Author
