Soldiers killed by Jordanian military at base gate, identified as Special Forces

Over the weekend, the Army released the names of three Special Forces soldiers who were killed Friday in Jordan.

The men from the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) located at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, were identified as: Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, 30, and Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27, according to the press release.

The US soldiers were in Jordan on a training mission and all three were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

While the incident is still being investigated, officials say the Green Berets came under fire as they were entering a military base. A car carrying the American soldiers was reportedly trying to enter the al-Jafr base near the town of Mann, in the southern part of the country.   A Pentagon spokesman said the men came under fire when the car “failed to comply with orders to stop at the entrance,” KMBC reported.

Meanwhile back in the States, the families of the three soldiers are preparing to lay their loved ones to rest.

The parents of Matt Lewellen say their son was a “born leader, a true American.”  The Lawrence, Kansas native was on his second deployment to Jordan when he was killed. The standout high school athlete, who was known for his sense of humor, received numerous awards and decorations in his more than 6 years of military service, including the Bronze Star medal.

McEnroe of Tucson, Arizona had more than eight years of service in the Army and this was his third overseas tour, according to the press release. Moriarty was from Kerrville, Texas and on his second overseas tour. The Associated Press reports that he grew up in Houston and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas. He had more than five years of service.

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