The U.S. Army has posthumously promoted three soldiers killed in a drone attack on their base at Tower 22 in Jordan on Jan. 28.
Army construction engineers Spc. Kennedy Sanders and Spc. Breonna Moffett were posthumously promoted to Sergeant. Electrician Sgt. William J. Rivers was promoted to Staff Sergeant.
"This advancement in rank is a recognition of his courage, honor, and fidelity in service to this great Nation. Though we mourn the tragic loss of Staff Sgt. Rivers, we hope this recognition provides some comfort to this family and shows our commitment to remember his legacy of loyal service," said Brig. Gen. Noel Palmer who is the 412th Theater Engineer Command Deputy Commanding General.
Tower 22 is part of an archipelago of bases and installations occupied by American soldiers throughout Jordan, some of which serve as logistical way stations for America's base within Syria itself at al-Tanf which sits right in the tri-border region between Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.
Ostensibly, the purpose of American soldiers in the region is to deter and defeat ISIS although many have pointed out that today the only reason for them to be deployed there is to counter Iranian influence.
The drone that killed Moffett, Sanders, and Rivers was flown by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq which is an Iran-sponsored militia in Syria, according to the Department of Defense.