Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton was killed in Iraq during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone.
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, a 30-year-old father from North Carolina, was killed during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq. The U.S. Army confirmed the soldier, who served for nearly a decade, will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge before being promoted to staff sergeant. The military is currently investigating the circumstances of the death, which occurred on Sunday at an air base in Irbil. Swinton enlisted in 2017 and served with the 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. His death marks the first U.S. troop casualty from direct Iranian fire since the war began. The administration noted that President Trump views the ongoing conflict as a necessary step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. While the war has pushed oil prices higher, the administration faces pressure to conclude the conflict efficiently. Swinton leaves behind a wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, and two children. His mother, Christel Swinton Andujar, described him as a dedicated soldier who gave his whole heart to his country and family.