On Friday, the Department of Defense identified the two service members and the one civilian that were killed by a suicide bomber in Manbij, Syria on Thursday. They were part of a group that was conducting local engagement in the city:
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Farmer:
Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida joined the Army on May 30, 2005. He had served a total of six overseas combat tours, ranging from Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and to his final tours for Operation Inherent Resolve, according to U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
His awards include Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with “C” Device, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
He is survived by his spouse, four children, and his parents.
Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Shannon M. Kent:
Kent, 35, of upstate New York had enlisted in the Navy on December 11, 2003 and was based at Ft. George G. Meade.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and teammates of Chief Petty Officer
Kent during this extremely difficult time. She was a rockstar, an outstanding Chief Petty Officer,
and leader to many in the Navy Information Warfare Community,” Cmdr. Joseph Harrison,
Commanding Officer, CWA-66 said in a statement.
Her awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine
Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal,
Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal
Scott A. Wirtz:
Wirtz, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri, had previously served as a Navy SEAL and was in Syria for the Defense Intelligence Agency as an operations support specialist.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this patriot,” said DIA Director Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr. “This is a stark reminder of the dangerous missions we conduct for the nation and of the threats we work hard to mitigate. As President Lincoln described on the fields at Gettysburg, this officer gave the last full measure of devotion”
His military awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (2), and the National Defense Service Medal.
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