US Soldiers Killed in Iranian Attack Identified as Texas and Hawaii Natives/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ The Pentagon identified two US Army soldiers killed while defending a base in Jordan from Iranian missiles and drones. First Lt. James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas died following Friday’s attack. A third service member remains missing as the number of American military deaths during the Iran war reaches 17.
Quick Look
- First Lt. James Feehan, 25, was from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
- Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, was from Carrollton, Texas.
- Both were killed following Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan.
- They were the first US troops killed by direct Iranian fire since the war’s opening days.
- Gonzales died Friday, while Feehan died Saturday.
- Feehan will be posthumously promoted to captain.
- He will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
- Feehan served with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
- Gonzales served with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
- She graduated from Hebron High School in 2025.
- A third service member remains missing after the Jordan attack.
- US Central Command is examining unidentified remains found at the site.
- Another American service member died Saturday in northern Iraq.
- Seventeen US military personnel have died since the Iran war began.
- Iran says recent US strikes killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 500.
Deep Look
Pentagon Identifies Soldiers Killed in Jordan
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department Monday identified two US Army soldiers killed while defending against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones in Jordan.
Their deaths marked the first fatalities among American troops caused by direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
A third service member remained missing.
James Feehan to Receive Posthumous Promotion
Feehan served with the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command and was assigned from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Army said he would be posthumously promoted from first lieutenant to captain.
Feehan will also receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
The military did not provide details about the actions supporting the Bronze Star or Combat Action Badge.
The Pentagon said Feehan died Saturday, one day after the attack.
Isabella Gonzales Graduated Last Year
Gonzales served as a private with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Ansbach, Germany.
She graduated from Hebron High School in Carrollton, near Dallas, in 2025.
The Lewisville Independent School District mourned her death and praised her decision to join the military after completing high school.
“She gave her life in that service, and our district is heartbroken by her loss,” the district said. “Her decision to serve after graduation speaks volumes of her character.”
The military said Gonzales died Friday but did not provide further details about the circumstances.
Third Service Member Remains Missing
A third American service member was reported missing following the attacks that killed Feehan and Gonzales.
US Central Command said Sunday that “unidentified remains” had been recovered and were undergoing examination.
Officials did not identify the missing service member or say when the examination might be completed.
The discovery means the confirmed number of deaths from the Jordan attack could rise.
Missile Warfare Puts Regional Forces at Risk
The fatalities demonstrate the risks facing American troops stationed across the Middle East, even without US ground forces operating inside Iran.
American personnel are based in countries throughout the region and support air defense, logistics, aviation and other missions.
Iran’s ability to launch drones and missiles across international borders has exposed those installations and their host countries to direct attacks.
The risks have increased as fighting intensifies following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts.
Trump Faces Pressure to End War
President Donald Trump has said the war is necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The president is facing growing political pressure to end the fighting and avoid a prolonged Middle Eastern conflict.
Trump previously campaigned against extended US military involvement in the region.
The rising American death toll and continued attacks on US bases are adding urgency to the debate over the war’s objectives and duration.
Another US Service Member Killed in Iraq
An American service member was also killed Saturday in northern Iraq.
US Central Command said the death occurred during the “controlled detonation” of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone.
A second service member suffered a minor injury and was receiving medical treatment.
The military withheld further information until at least 24 hours after the families involved had been notified.
Iran Reports Casualties From US Strikes
Iranian authorities said American attacks during the previous three weeks killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 500.
The reported fatalities included eight people killed when a US strike hit a bridge Friday.
The Iranian casualty figures could not be independently verified.
Both countries have struck infrastructure used by civilians, including bridges, electricity facilities and water desalination plants.
Ship workers, foreign laborers and other civilians in Gulf countries, Israel and Lebanon have also been killed during the conflict.
Six Soldiers Killed in Opening Attack
The first American military deaths occurred shortly after the United States and Israel began the war Feb. 28.
An Iranian drone struck a civilian port in Kuwait, killing six US soldiers.
The troops belonged to a supply and logistics unit based in Iowa.
They were working inside a shipping container-style structure that lacked defensive protection when the attack occurred.
Seventh Soldier Died After Saudi Base Attack
Another US soldier died more than one week after being wounded in a March 1 Iranian attack.
That strike targeted Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia.
The death raised the early-war military toll to seven before additional losses occurred in aviation incidents supporting the American campaign.
Six Killed in KC-135 Crash
Six service members died later in March when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.
The plane had been supporting US military operations against Iran.
US Central Command said the aircraft was flying in “friendly” airspace when an unspecified incident involving another aircraft occurred.
Officials did not publicly provide complete details about what caused the crash.
Navy Pilot Died in Arabian Sea
A Navy pilot died after a helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea on July 1.
The Navy initially described the incident as an emergency landing and said there was “no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.”
The other three sailors aboard the helicopter were rescued.
Taken together, the combat deaths and operational accidents have brought the number of American service members killed during the war to 17.
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