A second Fort Bragg soldier was killed in action over the weekend supporting overseas operations in the conflict with Iran, this time while at a base in Iraq.
According to the US Department of War (DOW), Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System on July 19, at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. The incident is under investigation.
Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg.
“USASMDC is saddened by the loss of Sgt. Swinton, whose death occurred during an operation to safeguard fellow Soldiers,” said Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty, USASMDC commanding general. “His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain. We will support Sgt. Swinton’s family and his unit during this difficult period. His loss will inspire his fellow Soldiers to continue the mission.”
Swinton enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 14H Air Defense Early Warning System Operator in 2017. He reclassified as a 14E Patriot Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer.
His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge.
Swinton will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
He is survived by his wife, a six-year-old son, and a four-year old daughter.
In addition to Swinton, 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, also stationed at Fort Bragg, was among two US Army service members killed during an Iranian missile and drone attack on a US air base in Jordan, the Department of Defense announced Monday.
He was killed in action on July 18 following an enemy attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Pvt. Isabella Gonzales from Carrollton, Texas, who was assigned to the 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command in Germany was also killed in the attack.
Feehan was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command at Fort Bragg.
