Pentagon Releases Names of the 13 American Servicemembers Killed in the Kabul Terror Attack

What’s the story?

• The Dept. of Defense (DOD) on Saturday released the names of the 13 American military servicemembers who were killed in the terror attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday amid the evacuation. It was the deadliest day for the U.S. military in Afghanistan since 2011, and the third deadliest since the war began after 9/11 in 2001. Additionally, over 170 Afghans were killed in the attack, and at least 20 U.S. servicemembers were wounded.
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released a statement following the attack which said: 

“Terrorists took their lives at the very moment these troops were trying to save the lives of others. We mourn their loss… And we will support their families in what will most assuredly be devastating grief. But we will not be dissuaded from the task at hand. To do anything less -- especially now -- would dishonor the purpose and sacrifice these men and women have rendered our country and the people of Afghanistan.”

• The release of names comes 24 hours after the fallen servicemembers’ next of kin were notified. A dignified transfer ceremony occurred Sunday, with the fallen servicemembers’ remains flown from Kabul to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where President Joe Biden and Cabinet members were in attendance. Here are the names of the 13 fallen servicemembers:

U.S. MARINE CORPS

Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, Jr., 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah

• Hoover served three tours in Afghanistan and his father told KSLTV his son decided he wanted to serve in the military at age 11 when 9/11 happened and that, “He loved this country — meant more to him than anything else, besides his family... That’s just the type of man he was, doing what he needed to do and getting the job done for those who couldn’t do it for themselves.”
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Sergeant Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts

• Rosariopichardo was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in Lawrence, participating in a Junior ROTC program in high school according to WCVB5 News. The mayor of Lawrence said that the city will “pay tribute to the heroic actions of Johanny, who in the spirit of a true Lawrencian, gave her all to give refuge to those who needed it.”
• She was assigned to the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade out of Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California

• Gee was among the Marines who appeared in a DOD picture calming Afghan babies amid the evacuation and shared the image on Instagram with the caption “I love my job.” She leaves behind her husband, Jarrod Gee, a fellow Marine who graduated from the same high school as Nicole, according to ABC10 News.
• Gee was assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Combat Logistics Battalion out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California

• Lopez was planning to follow in his parents’ footsteps by becoming a Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy after his deployment. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Association released a statement to KTLA saying that they were “heartbroken to hear this sad news about Hunter, who chose to follow a life of service, selflessness, courage and sacrifice, like his parents.”
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Corporal Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska

• Page grew up in Red Oak, Iowa, and his family said in a statement that he “loved the brotherhood of the Marines” and was a “genuinely happy guy that you could always count on” who planned to attend a local trade school after his enlistment.
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana

• Sanchez was remembered by his high school principal in an email that read, “Humberto was a smart, athletic young man who was popular, well-liked by his soccer teammates, classmates, coaches, and teachers. He was honored to be putting on the Marine uniform and serving his country.”
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas

• Espinoza’s mother told KGNS that, “I’m proud of him because of what he did. As a mother, it’s hard, but he did serve.” Tragically, his death reportedly occurred on his sister’s 13th birthday.
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming

• McCollum’s sister told the Casper Star-Tribune that Rylee was on his first deployment and “wanted to be a Marine his whole life.” His wife is expecting their first child in September, and online fundraisers have raised over $403,000 to benefit her and their unborn child as of Sunday. 
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California

• Merola’s mother told CBS2 that he planned to study engineering in college and “was one of the best kids ever. Kind. Loving. Giving to every single person. He would give anything for anybody.”
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California

• Nikoui’s father told the Daily Beast that Kareem “loved what he was doing, he always wanted to be a Marine,” and expressed frustration at the Biden administration, saying, “They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security… Biden turned his back on him.” 
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri

• Schmitz’s father told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Jared decided on becoming a Marine in high school and that he had, “Never seen him more focused on one thing in his entire life than training to be the best Marine he could be.” He said Jared was an “amazing young man, with a big future that’s now been cut short.”
• He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

U.S. NAVY

Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

• Soviak’s parents told CNN in a statement that Maxton was an “awesome young man” who was “most proud to be a Navy corpsman and a ‘devil doc’ for the Marines.” Maxton’s sister wrote on Instagram, “My beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother was killed yesterday helping to save lives.”  
• He was assigned to the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division out of Camp Pendleton, California.

U.S. ARMY

Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee

• Knauss’s grandmother told the Daily Beast that Ryan was on his second deployment to Afghanistan and, “Making quite impressive steps in the military. Very bright and very committed.” She added that, “It’s been a very sad day for us. It shouldn’t have had to happen this way.”
• He was assigned to the 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, 1st Special Forces Command out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: Dignified Transfer Flight: U.S. Central Command Public Affairs / Public Domain | Ramp Ceremony: U.S. Central Command Public Affairs / Public Domain)