From Iowa to the World: Honoring Two National Guard Soldiers Lost on Deployment

Today, Iowa pauses to remember and honor the lives of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar of Grimes, two Iowa National Guard soldiers who were tragically killed while serving overseas.

According to officials, both soldiers were deployed in support of ongoing counterterrorism operations as part of an international mission aimed at maintaining regional stability. Their work placed them far from home, carrying out responsibilities that demanded courage, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to duty.

Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar represented the very best of the Iowa National Guard — citizen-soldiers who balanced service to their country with deep roots in their local communities. Friends and family members remember them not only as dedicated service members, but as sons, brothers, friends, and neighbors who answered the call when they were needed most.

Their deployment was part of a broader effort to protect global security and support allied forces in a complex and dangerous environment. While the mission required operating far from Iowa, the values they carried with them — service, integrity, and sacrifice — were shaped at home.

The loss of Sgt. Howard and Sgt. Torrestovar has sent shockwaves through the Iowa National Guard and the communities of Marshalltown and Grimes. Fellow service members have described the grief as profound, noting that the bonds formed in uniform are deep and enduring. Their absence will be felt not only on the battlefield, but in armories, neighborhoods, and families across the state.

Military leaders emphasized that their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and that their service reflects the enduring commitment of National Guard members who step forward to protect others, often at great personal risk.

As Iowa mourns, flags are lowered, moments of silence are observed, and communities come together to support the families left behind. The pain of their loss is shared, but so too is the pride in their service.

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torrestovar gave their lives in service to something greater than themselves. Their legacy lives on in the people they served beside, the communities they came from, and the freedoms they helped protect.

🕊️ Rest in peace.
🇺🇸 Thank you for your service.