Sgt William Nathaniel Howard,Sgt Edgar Torrestovar Obituary, Death; – The U.S. Department of War has disclosed the identities of the two Iowa National Guard soldiers who lost their lives in what appears to be an ISIS attack in Syria.
The soldiers were named in a news release on Monday, December 15, as Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown, and Sgt. Edgar Torrestovar, 25, from Grimes. Both were affiliated with the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.
“Today, we pay tribute to the memory and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar by announcing their names to a grateful state and nation,” stated Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, in a news release on Monday. “They were committed professionals and beloved members of our Guard family who exemplified the finest qualities of Iowa. Our current priority is to provide steadfast support to their families during this unimaginable period and to ensure that the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten.”
Osborn reported that a total of five soldiers were attacked by a “lone ISIS gunman” on Saturday, December 13. Additionally, one non-Iowan U.S. civilian interpreter was also killed in the ambush, while three other Iowa soldiers sustained injuries.
All soldiers involved are part of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, which is integrated into the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division.
The brigade commenced its deployment to the Middle East in late May 2025 for Operation Inherent Resolve, aimed at advising and assisting forces tasked with the mission to “defeat ISIS.”
Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn confirmed in a Facebook post that his son, Howard, 29, was one of the two Iowa soldiers who were killed in Syria on Saturday.
“Our son Nate was one of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to ensure our safety,” Bunn expressed in his post. “He was passionate about his work and would always be the first to enter and the last to leave, ensuring no one was left behind. Please pray for our soldiers across this harsh world. We will reunite with you again, son; until then, we will take care of things from here.”
