BREAKING: US troops killed in Syria identified as Iowa National Guardsmen

The US military members killed in Syria have been identified as National Guardsmen Sgt. Nate Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar of Iowa. Both were killed by an ISIS-affiliated gunman in an attack over the weekend. Another American, who was working as an interpreter, was also killed.

Howard was the son of a police chief in Iowa, who posted about his son's death online to the police department's page. In the post, Meskwaki Nation Pon Chief Jeffrey Bunn said that his son, Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, was one of the three Americans killed in the ISIS attack.

"My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer," Bunn wrote. "He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here."

Both Howard and Torres Tovar were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, per KCCI. Their identities were officially announced on Monday. "Today, we honor the memory and sacrifice of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres Tovar by sharing their names with a grateful state and nation," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Osborn, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard.

"They were dedicated professionals and cherished members of our Guard family who represented the best of Iowa. Our focus now is providing unwavering support to their families through this unimaginable time and ensuring the legacy of these two heroes is never forgotten."

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said that she had the opportunity to reach out to the families of both Howard and Torres Tovar. "Earlier, I had the opportunity to reach out to the families of the two soldiers who were killed, and as you can imagine, they are devastated," Reynolds said. There were also three other Iowa soldiers that were injured in the attack but they have not been identified.

“Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torres Tovar served our state and nation with honor, and in doing so, gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss," Reynolds added.

President Donald Trump has warned of a "very serious retaliation" against ISIS in response to the attack which targeted both Americans and Syrian officials.