The Department of Defense has identified two Marines who were killed March 8 in north central Iraq supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, a critical skills operator from Simi Valley, Calif., and Capt. Moises A. Navas, a special operations officer from Germantown, Md., suffered fatal wounds while accompanying Iraqi Security Forces during a mission to eliminate an ISIS stronghold in a mountainous area of north central Iraq. Both were 34 years old and assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.
During his 8 years as a Marine Raider, Gunnery Sgt. Pongo completed deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for heroic actions against the enemy in 2013 while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is survived by his daughter and mother.
Capt. Navas enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004 and achieved the rank of sergeant before receiving his commission through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in July 2010. He was a graduate of the USMC Expeditionary Warfare School Non-Resident Course, the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, the USMC Command and Staff College Non-Resident Course, Marine Combatant Diver Course, and Military Freefall Course. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
"Our most sincere thoughts are with the family and teammates of Gunnery Sgt. Pongo and Capt. Navas during this difficult time," a release from Marine Forces Special Operations Command read. "MARSOC is committed to providing care and support to their families and we urge respect for their privacy as they grieve this tremendous loss."
The two were killed during a mission to eliminate a stronghold for the Islamic State group. A senior Iraqi official told the Associated Press that the mission came under attack from IS militants. The incident is currently under investigation.