DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa National Guard announces the funeral arrangements for the two fallen Soldiers who were killed in action on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Syria. Staff Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown, Iowa, will be honored with visitation and funeral services on Saturday, December 27th in Marshalltown. All information on service details
and arrangements are available at Mitchell Family Funeral Home website. Mitchell Family Funeral Home will be recording the service. The link to view the service will be available on their website after the ceremony concludes.

Staff Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar of Des Moines, Iowa, will be honored with a visitation on Sunday, December 28 in Des Moines, followed by funeral services and burial on Monday, December 29. Specific information on service details and arrangements are available at the Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home website. There will be no recording or livestreaming of these ceremonies.

These services are open to the public; however, the families have respectfully requested no media coverage. Members of the media are asked to honor and respect the families’ wishes during this time of mourning.

The Iowa National Guard extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and fellow Soldiers of Staff Sgt. Howard and Staff Sgt. Torres-Tovar. We are grateful for their selfless service and sacrifice in defense of our nation.