Department of Defense identifies three soldiers killed in Jordan, one from Savannah

The Department of Defense announced Monday the death of three Army Reserve soldiers who were killed on Sunday, Jan. 28, in Jordan during a drone attack. The three Georgia soldiers, Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton and Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

They were the first American deaths since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. Rivers was a native of Willingboro, N.J before relocating to Carrollton, Georgia and Moffett was from Savannah.

The attack occurred while the soldiers were asleep, a Pentagon spokesperson said Monday. It came “when a one-way unmanned aerial system (OWUAS) impacted container housing units,” per a Department of Defense press release issued late Monday afternoon. The incident is under investigation.

“The loss of Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett has left an indelible mark on the United States Army Reserve. These Citizen-Soldiers died in service to their country on January 28, 2024, in Jordan,” said Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General U.S. Army Reserve Command.

“On behalf of the Army Reserve, I share in the sorrow felt by their friends, family, and loved ones. Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten, and we are committed to supporting those left behind in the wake of this tragedy.”

Rivers, Sanders and Moffett were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Ga. Spc. Moffett was a resident of Savannah and she enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2019 as a Horizontal Construction Engineer (12R).

She was first assigned to the 381st Engineer Company in Tifton after completing advanced individual training. In 2023, Spc. Moffett was assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Ga. Her awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Monday that more than 40 were injured in the attack, and that number could possibly increase.

“First and foremost, I would like to give my condolences to the families, loved ones, and teammates of these incredible soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. Todd Lazaroski, Commanding General, 412th Theater Engineer Command. “We are reminded that the brave men and women who defend our great nation put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our country safe."

“They represent the best of America. We will remember their service and their sacrifice.”