We knew the name of James Moriarty because his father had spoken out and demanded an investigation of his son's death. Now the names of all three trainers murdered by Jordanian soldiers while aiding our Muslim "ally" have been released.
The Pentagon has identified the three Special Forces soldiers supporting the anti-Islamic State coalition who died after their convoy came under fire on Friday while entering a military base in Jordan.
The Green Berets were identified in a statement released Sunday as Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27; Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, 30; and Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27. All three were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky., and were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
The U.S. Special Operations Command said in a statement that all three of the decorated soldiers killed in the attack had served multiple overseas tours.
Lewellen, a native of Lawrence, Kan., had more than six years of service in the Army and was serving his second overseas tour. Among his awards were a Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Tucson native McEnroe was an eight-year Army veteran on his third overseas tour. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Hailing from Kerrville, Texas, Moriarty, had more than five years of service in the Army. This was his second overseas tour. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
There's more here about McEnroe.
His mother Linda Frost, who still lives in Tucson, said McEnroe loved to play guitar, enjoyed fashion and travel and had an “incredible sense of humor.”
“He was a little bit of a class clown in school,” Frost said. McEnroe attended Green Fields Country Day School. “When he walked into the room, he had this magnetism.”
Frost said McEnroe was already two years in at University of Colorado, Boulder, when he decided he wanted to join the Army.
“We don’t really have a military background,” Frost said. “He just said he wanted to make a difference and become a Green Beret.”
McEnroe’s brothers, Nick and Chris McEnroe live in Nashville, Tenn. His father, Brian McEnroe lives in Florida.
It's important to make sure that the truth comes out here.
Initial reports called the shooting an accident or misunderstanding and said the soldiers failed to stop at a security checkpoint.
But later, the family was told the American soldiers were intentionally shot and that a manhunt was underway to find them, KHOU reported.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the U.S. was focused on "getting to the bottom" of what happened and expected Jordanian cooperation in the investigation.
Sure.