BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida soldier was among four Americans killed in a suicide bombing in Syria.
The Department of Defense identified three of the four victims Friday. Among those killed was Army Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach.
Farmer was killed Wednesday in Manbij "as a result of wounds sustained from a suicide improvised explosive device," the statement said.
"He was a wonderful man who has little children, is from a lovely family and they're broken-hearted," family friend Cathy White said. "It's very sad."
A Navy sailor from New York, a civilian and a civilian contractor, who hasn't been identified, were also killed in the blast.
Farmer joined the Army in 2005 and had served on six overseas combat tours. He is survived by his wife and four children.
The Benjamin School, which Farmer attended growing up, posted a message on Twitter Friday, calling the alum a "true warrior."
It is with tremendously heavy hearts that we share the news that TBS alum Jon Farmer was killed in Syria this week. A true warrior, Jon is fondly remembered as a Buccaneer with a big heart and commitment to service. https://t.co/OHxv1X2ItN
— The Benjamin School (@BenjaminBucs) January 18, 2019
The bombing, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, came less than a month after President Donald Trump declared the militants defeated and ordered 2,000 U.S. troops in the country be withdrawn.