Honoring the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and United States Army Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Palmyra, Syria, in a targeted assault against United States service members on December 13, 2025.

Summary

Memorializes two Iowa Army National Guard soldiers—Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard (29) and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar (25)—and a U.S. civilian interpreter who were killed during a December 13, 2025 counter‑terrorism engagement near Palmyra, Syria. The resolution notes three other Iowa Guard soldiers were wounded, summarizes the service and community ties of the fallen soldiers, and expresses condolences to their families, friends, and communities.

• Formally memorializes two Iowa National Guard soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter killed December 13, 2025 near Palmyra, Syria.
• Identifies the fallen as Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard (29) and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres‑Tovar (25) of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment.
• States the attacker was a lone gunman believed affiliated with ISIS and that U.S. and partner forces were targeted.
• Notes three other Iowa Guard soldiers were wounded in the same engagement.
• Describes the soldiers’ service records and community ties, including Howard’s 11 years of service and Torres‑Tovar’s enlistment before his 2019 graduation.
• Expresses condolences to the families, friends, comrades, and communities of the deceased and wounded.
• Does not authorize spending, change law, or impose mandates; it is a symbolic commemorative resolution.
• Highlights the human and community impact of overseas counter‑terrorism operations involving National Guard personnel.