I Got The News Today (IGTNT), 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. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens
The Department of Defense has announced the death of a U.S. Navy sailor who was supporting U.S. Central Command Operations. Chief Special Warfare Operator William "Ryan" Owens, 36, of Peoria, Illinois, died on January 28, 2017 in the Arabian Peninsula of Yemen, of wounds sustained in a raid against al-Qaida.
ABC News reported that “dozens of special operations forces from a partner nation in the region” also participated in the raid. ABC also reported that according to the Pentagon, “at least 14 [al-Qaida] fighters were killed in the raid, but there are unconfirmed reports from Yemen that civilians were also killed ... U.S. officials are taking those allegations seriously and said they are still assessing whether there were civilian casualties.”
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Ryan Owens knew at a young age that he wanted to serve his country as a Navy SEAL. As a friend from high school recalled:
"Since he was a freshman in high school, this kid decided he wanted to protect his country. He never once wavered from that. He always said he wanted to serve, and as much as this hurts, he would not have wanted it any other way. Everyone has dreams and not everyone knows what they want to do in high school, but he did. He wanted to be a Navy SEAL.”
According to Navy Times, Owens enlisted in the Navy in 1998, and he served at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Maryland, before attending SEAL training in Coronado, California. His first tour as a SEAL was at a West Coast unit, followed by three consecutive East Coast unit tours. He was on his fifth team tour when he was killed.
Navy Times said that in addition to his SEAL Trident and Basic Parachutist wings, Owens was qualified to wear the following awards:
- Navy/Marine Corps Medal
- Bronze Star w/Combat “V” (2 awards)
- Bronze Star
- Joint Service Commendation Medal w/Combat “V” (2 awards)
- Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2 awards)
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards)
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2 awards)
- Good Conduct Medal (6 awards)
- Presidential Unit Citation (3 awards)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (8 awards)
Statements honoring Chief Special Warfare Operator Owens include those from President Donald Trump,
Americans are saddened this morning with news that a life of a heroic service member has been taken in our fight against the evil of radical Islamic terrorism. The sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces, and the families they leave behind, are the backbone of the liberty we hold so dear as Americans, united in our pursuit of a safer nation and a freer world. My deepest thoughts and humblest prayers are with the family of this fallen service member. I also pray for a quick and complete recovery for the brave service members who sustained injuries.
Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis,
I extend my condolences to the family and shipmates of Chief Petty Officer William "Ryan" Owens. Ryan gave his full measure for our nation, and in performing his duty, he upheld the noblest standard of military service. The United States would not long exist were it not for the selfless commitment of such warriors. I thank our gallant troops and their families for their dedication to protecting this nation, and I pass our respects to Ryan's family in this most difficult time.
and Rear Admiral Tim Szymanski, who is the commander of the Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees the SEALs
Ryan was an exceptional SEAL - an experienced warrior and a highly respected teammate who served silently, nobly and bravely through several combat deployments. His family has sacrificed much for his service. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. His death reminds us all of the constant dangers of our profession, and the very real threats to our nation. For (Naval Special Warfare), Ryan's legacy strengthens our own resolve and commitment to this crucial fight. We hope his family can find comfort in the love and support of family, friends and teammates.
This afternoon, Chief Special Warfare Operator Owens’s family, President Trump, and Senator Chris Coons were present at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive his remains.
My deepest condolences to Ryan’s family and friends.
Sources: DoD, ABC, Navy via email, Navy Times, WTVR, DoD, Peoria Journal Star, USA Today
1914 IV: The Dead
Rupert Brooke
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares,
Washed marvellously with sorrow, swift to mirth.
The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours of the earth.
These had seen movement, and heard music; known
Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended;
Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone;
Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended.
There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter
And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after,
Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance
And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white
Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance,
A width, a shining peace, under the night.
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor, respect and remind. Its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories. The DoD news releases are here, and all of the U.S. fatalities can be seen here. These men and women all had people who they loved and who loved them. Click the IGTNT tags to see the series, which was begun by i dunno, and which is maintained by i dunno, Monkeybiz, Noweasels, Blue Jersey Mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, Spam Nunn, True Blue Majority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, Maggie Jean, Jax Dem, The Fat Lady Sings, Ekaterina, Sandy on Signal, and me, Joy of Fishes. Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members chronicled here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.