WAYCROSS, Ga. — Three Georgia soldiers have been identified as the victims killed in a drone strike in Jordan Sunday, according to officials.
The Department of Defense identified those killed as:
- Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, GA.
- Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga.
- Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Ga.
DOD officials noted the three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Ga.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement Monday saying, "These soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion in service to this country...The entire Kemp family asks that Georgians everywhere join us in keeping the loved ones of those lost in this attack in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead."
Kennedy Ladon Sanders is being honored by the City of Waycross, where she is from, with flags at half-staff Monday.
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they mourn this tremendous loss," the city said in a Facebook post announcing the news.
A statement from surrounding Ware County noted: "Kennedy Sanders exemplified the highest ideals of honor, duty, and selflessness. Her unwavering commitment to defending our nation and protecting the freedoms we hold dear will forever be etched in our hearts and memories. Her sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his service will be forever honored."
More on the attack
Three American troops were killed and 25 were injured Sunday in a drone strike in northeast Jordan near the Syrian border, the U.S. military said. President Joe Biden blamed Iran-backed militias for the first U.S. fatalities after months of strikes by the groups against American forces across the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war.
President Biden also noted that the U.S. "shall respond" after the attack.
With an increasing risk of military escalation in the region, U.S. officials were working to conclusively identify the precise group responsible for the attack, but they have assessed that one of several Iranian-backed groups was behind it.
According to a U.S. official, the number of troops injured by the one-way attack drone rose to at least 34. Another official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not made public, said a large drone struck the base, which two other American officials identified as an installation in Jordan known as Tower 22. It is along the Syrian border and is used largely by troops involved in the advise-and-assist mission for Jordanian forces.
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