I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, Operation Joint Guardian and Operation Octave Shield. The IGTNT title is a reminder that far too often the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Capt. Moises A. Navas
Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo
The Department of Defense announced the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. They died March 8, 2020 while supporting Iraqi Security Forces in north central Iraq. The incident is under investigation. Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, 34, of Simi Valley, California and Capt. Moises A. Navas, 34, of Germantown, Maryland. Both Marines were assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. ~ DoD News Release
On Sunday, March 8th a raid was conducted by a joint Iraqi-U.S. helicopter assault on a suspected ISIS-occupied cave complex in the Makhmur Mountains of northern Iraq. Col. Myles Caggins, Chief Coalition spokesman said "This was one of the most intense clashes with ISIS that coalition troops have participated in in several months."
Iraqi counter terrorism forces and approximately a dozen special forces Marines traveled to a location where ISIS fighters were hidden. They encountered stiff resistance and a “close range” firefight ensured. Two Marines were killed, three other Americans and one coalition member were wounded.
A team of US Army Delta Force special operation troops undertook the mission to recover the two bodies and those troops encountered more opposition. Col. Caggin said in a released statement: "The forces trekked through mountainous terrain and eliminated four hostile ISIS fighters who were barricaded in the caves. The recovery took approximately six hours." ~ News Source
“On behalf of the military Coalition, I send my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Moises A. Navas and Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo.” ~ Lt. Gen. Pat White, the Commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force for Operation Inherent Resolve
"On behalf of the Marine Raider Regiment and all of MARSOC, our most sincere condolences go out to the families of Gunnery Sgt. Pongo and Capt. Navas. The loss of these two incredible individuals is being felt across our organization, but it cannot compare to the loss that their families and teammates are experiencing. Both men epitomize what it means to be a Marine Raider. They were intelligent, courageous, and loyal. They were dedicated leaders, true professionals in their craft, and willing to go above and beyond for the mission and their team. They were not just leaders today, they were both on the path to be our organizations leaders in the future. They were also family men, adoring husbands and fathers -- Capt. Navas to his wife, daughter, and three young sons, and Gunnery Sgt. Pongo to his little girl. The hearts of the entire Marine Raider community are with the Pongo and Navas families as we mourn this tremendous loss. In times like these, we come together and rely on each other, sharing our burdens and providing strength to those that need it. We will do everything we can to lift up and support our grieving families in order to and honor the incredible lives and the ultimate sacrifices of Gunnery Sgt. Pongo and Capt. Navas." ~ Marine Raider Regiment Commanding Officer, Col. John Lynch
“We are deeply saddened by the news that two Camp Lejeune marines lost their lives in service to our country on Sunday. I am grateful for Capt. Moises A. Navas and Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo’s courage, and our thoughts are with their loved ones.” ~ North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
In addition to North Carolina, all United States flags at state facilities were ordered to be lowered to half-staff beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2020 in honor of Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo and Marine Corps Capt. Moises A. Navas. In tribute, flags are to remain at halfstaff through sunset on Sunday, March 15, 2020. ~ News Source
Captain Moises A. Navas
Moises A. Navas, who was known as “Mo” was born in Panama and grew up in Maryland. He enlisted in 2004 and rose to the rank of Sergeant. Navas was commissioned as an officer in 2010 after participating in the enlisted-to-officer program. Captain Navas then served as an infantry officer and an executive officer on two deployments to Japan. In 2014 Navas completed the requirements for Special Operations Officer. During the last four years Captain Navas was assigned to the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion as Team Commander and Company Executive Officer and deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve before this current deployment to Iraq.
Col. Lynch stated, “In addition to being a phenomenal Marine officer and Raider, he truly was a family man, and cherished his time watching his children play sports. He was also a scout sniper, a martial arts instructor, combat diver, and was recently selected for promotion to the rank of major. “
Captain Navas was a graduate of the USMC Expeditionary Warfare School Non-Resident Course, the U.S. Army's Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the USMC Command and Staff College Non-Resident Course, Marine Combatant Diver Course, and Military Freefall Course. ~ News Source
His personal decorations include the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, two Good Conduct Medals, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Captain Moises A. Navas will posthumously receive a Bronze Star with Combat “V,” a Purple Heart and a Combat Action Ribbon. ~ News Source
He is survived by his wife, a daughter, three sons, his parents and a brother.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Capt. Moises A. Navas, a Special Operations officer from Germantown. A Purple Heart recipient, Captain Navas was one of our true heroes and perfectly embodied the mission of the United States Marine Corps. We ask Marylanders to join me and the First Lady in praying for his friends, family, and all those who loved him. In honor of his service and sacrifice, the United States and Maryland flags will be lowered on the day of his interment. “ ~ Maryland Governor Larry Hogan
Gunnery Sergeant Diego D. Pongo
Diego Pongo attended Valley View Middle School and was a graduate of Simi Valley High School in 2003. Diego then began working towards a degree in anthropology at Moorpark College. The college district’s board of trustees adjourned its public board meeting on Tuesday out of respect and began making plans to honor GySgt Pongo at their April meeting.
In 2004 Pongo enlisted in the Marine Corps and began his career as a rifleman and later completing a scout sniper course in 2008. After a deployment to Afghanistan where he served as sniper team leader, Pongo completed the nine-month course to become a critical-skills operator earning the Marine Special Operator Insignia in December 2011.
According to Col. Lynch, “Both men were incredibly humble and truly the quiet professionals that define our SOF warriors. Gunnery Sgt. Pongo balanced that with his larger-than-life personality. The command as a whole became witness to his dynamic personality, and love for family, when he brought his mom to this past year’s Marine Corps Birthday Ball ceremony and together they out-danced the rest of us on the dance floor. He also loved going on adventures with his daughter, hiking, camping, and woodworking. He was a MARSOF advanced sniper, a foreign weapons instructor, a combat marksmanship leader, and he was fluent in multiple languages.”
In his eight years as a Marine raider, GySgt. Pongo deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for heroic actions against the enemy in 2013 while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. ~ News Source
Additional personal decorations also include a Purple Heart, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, two Combat Action Ribbons, the Army Valorous Unit Award, four Good Conduct Medals, two Humanitarian Service Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and four Sea Service Deployment Ribbons.
Gunnery Sgt Pongo will be posthumously awarded a Bronze Star with Combat “V” and a Purple Heart. ~ News Source
Gunnery Sgt Diego D. Pongo is survived by his parents and his daughter.
“Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom honor Marine Gunnery Sgt. Diego D. Pongo, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Partner extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.” In memorial, Governor Newsom ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol. Gunnery Sgt. Pongo’s family will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor. ~ News Source
I Got the News Today" is a series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifices made by our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, Joy of Fishes, SARBill and me, JaxDem. These diaries are heartbreaking to write but are an important service to those who have died and allows our community to show respect for the fallen and express condolences to those who mourn them. These posts usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service member(s) mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.
