Photo: Alamy
The Pentagon on Tuesday identified a fourth U.S. service member believed to have been killed in an enemy attack last weekend, as American military operations against targets in Iran entered their 11th consecutive night.
The Defense Department said Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed in action on July 17. U.S. Central Command had previously listed Rampersad as missing.
“The Soldier’s status was updated to a Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased,” the Pentagon said in a news release.
Rampersad was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command in Ansbach, Germany.
The announcement follows the deaths of three other U.S. service members during recent attacks linked to Iran and its allies.
The Pentagon previously identified 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales as being killed during an enemy attack on a U.S. air base in Jordan. Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton was later identified after he was killed in Iranian strikes in northern Iraq.
The four deaths represent the deadliest period for U.S. forces since the conflict began in March.
The identification came as Pentagon officials announced another round of U.S. strikes against military targets inside Iran, marking the 11th straight night of operations.
According to U.S. officials, the strikes are “designed to continue degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
U.S. Central Command said the campaign has expanded to include a wider range of military objectives, targeting energy infrastructure, port facilities, bridges, coastal surveillance sites, air defense systems and other assets the military says support Iran’s ability to threaten regional security.
