MESKWAKI, Iowa (KCRG) – One of the two Iowa National Guard soldiers killed in a Syria ambush Saturday has been identified as the son of Meskwaki Nation Police Chief, Jeffrey Bunn. Chief Bunn shared the information in a post to the department’s Facebook page: “Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer,” Chief Bunn wrote.

In a post on social media for the public to share, Chief Bunn said, “My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have if from here.”

Another soldier from Iowa was killed in the attack – several other soldiers were injured. No other names have been released at this time.

Sgt. William “Nate” Howard (Photo posted for public info. by his father, Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn)

The Iowa National Guard is in the Middle East working on a broad counter-terrorism operation.