A U.S. soldier died in a rollover accident over the weekend in Syria, the Department of Defense (DOD) said.
Spc. Antonio I. Moore, a 22-year-old from Wilmington, North Carolina, died on Jan. 24 while conducting route clearing operations in Dier ez Zor province. He was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve and was assigned to 363rd Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade, Knightdale, North Carolina.
The accident is currently under investigation, the DOD said in the Jan. 25 release.
“The 363rd Engineer Battalion is deeply saddened at the loss of Spec. Antonio Moore. Antonio was one of the best in our formation. He will be missed by all who served with him. We will now focus on supporting his family and honoring his legacy and sacrifice,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ian Doiron, commander of the 363rd Engineer Battalion, according to Task & Purpose.
Moore joined the military in 2017 and was on his first deployment when the accident occurred, reported the Washington Examiner. He played football at John T. Hoggard High School, where he graduated from. The football team offered condolences to Moore’s family in a Twitter post.
“Yesterday, we lost a good man. If you had the pleasure of knowing Antonio, you knew he was one of the most lovable human beings you would ever meet. He was a true hero as he fought for our country in the US military. Please send your thoughts and prayers to the Moore family,” the Hoggard football team wrote.
Yesterday, we lost a good man. If you had the pleasure of knowing Antonio, you knew he was one of the most lovable human beings you would ever meet. He was a true hero as he fought for our country in the US military. Please send your thoughts and prayers to the Moore family. pic.twitter.com/LjvHbJ78Oe
— Hoggard Football (@JTH_Vikings) January 25, 2020
The team’s head coach, Craig Underwood, also praised Moore, reported WECT 6 News, saying: “Tony was a such a light. Always smiling. He was a pleasure to coach and a true teammate. We appreciate his service and will miss him greatly.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis also expressed condolences to Moore’s family and his Battalion, writing on Twitter: “Susan and I send our deepest condolences to the 363rd Engineer Battalion, 411th Engineer Brigade based out of Knightdale, NC and the family of Wilmington native Spc. Antonio I. Moore. His service and sacrifice will always be remembered.”
The 22-year-old soldier was also honored by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture by ordering all flags at state facilities to fly at half-staff.
“Cooper today ordered all US and NC flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today in honor of Spc. Antonio I. Moore, who lost his life in an accident while carrying out operations in Syria,” the department said.