Iowa police chief's son among National Guard members killed in Syria ISIS terrorist attack

One of the 2 Iowa Army National Guard members killed successful Saturday’s violent onslaught successful Syria has been identified arsenic the lad of a section constabulary chief.

Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn confirmed successful a Facebook station Sunday that his son, Nate Howard, was among the victims.

The play ambush occurred successful Palmyra erstwhile a lone Islamic State gunman targeted a radical of Iowa Army National Guard soldiers. The onslaught killed 2 American soldiers, a U.S. civilian interpreter and wounded 3 further U.S. soldiers.  

"Today 2 of our Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers were killed successful enactment on with a Civilian Interpreter successful Syria," Bunn said. "My woman Misty and I had that sojourn from Army Commanders you ne'er privation to have. Our lad Nate was 1 of the Soldiers that paid the eventual sacrifice for each of us, to support america each safer. He loved what helium was doing and would beryllium the archetypal successful and past out, nary 1 near behind. Please commune for our Soldiers each astir this cruel world. We volition spot you again son, until past we person if from here."

IOWA NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS IDENTIFIED AS VICTIMS IN DEADLY SYRIA ISIS ATTACK

Nate Howard was killed successful a violent onslaught carried retired by an ISIS gunman connected Dec. 13, 2025, successful Syria.  (Meskwaki Nation Police Department - Iowa)

According to the National Guard’s B Troop, 1-113th Cavalry, the Marshalltown autochthonal served successful the Iowa Army National Guard for much than 11 years and had hoped to implicit 20 years of service. Inspired by his grandfather’s service, helium became the archetypal idiosyncratic from his father's broadside of the household to articulation the equipped forces, officials said.

When disconnected duty, Howard worked astatine Fisher Controls, a Marshalltown-based concern instrumentality manufacturer, arsenic a laser engraving specialist, officials added. He besides enjoyed shooting, woodworking and gaming, according to the unit. 

Nate Howard (left) proudly served successful the Iowa Army National Guard for implicit 11 years. (B TROOP 1-113th CAV)

Tama County Sheriff Casey Schmidt offered her condolences to Howard’s household and called the guardsman "a lad who did not travel home" successful a Facebook station connected Sunday.

"Yesterday, we learned that 2 members of the Iowa National Guard were killed successful a violent onslaught successful Syria," Schmidt said successful a statement. "One of those work members was Nate Howard. An Iowan. A Guardsman. A lad who did not travel home. We besides mourn the nonaccomplishment of the different Iowa National Guardsman who was killed. Their lives and their work matter."

"I person been friends with Jeff Bunn for galore years. Jeff serves arsenic the Police Chief for the Meskwaki Nation Police Department, a assemblage wrong Tama County. I americium thankful for his friendship, and my bosom is breached for Jeff, Misty, and their family. Losing a kid is thing nary genitor should ever person to face."

TRUMP VOWS 'VERY SERIOUS RETALIATION' AGAINST ISIS AFTER DEADLY SYRIA AMBUSH KILLS US SOLDIERS

One of the 2 Iowa Army National Guard members killed successful Saturday's violent onslaught has been identified arsenic Nate Howard. (Tama County Sheriff's Office)

Schmidt said the deaths underscored that the outgo of work is "real," particularly against forces specified arsenic ISIS. 

"This hits adjacent to home. It reminds america that work is idiosyncratic and that the outgo is real," Schmidt added. "These losses are not headlines. They are families, coworkers, and communities near carrying the weight."

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"ISIS is evil. That is not political. That is reality. Our work members are inactive lasting successful harm’s mode due to the fact that that evil inactive exists. Acknowledging that matters, and truthful does remembering wherefore they serve."

Fox News Digital reached retired to the Meskwaki Nation Police Department, Tama County Sheriff's Office and the B Troop, 1-113th Cavalry for much information.