The Defense Department confirmed that one of three Americans who died Wednesday in a terrorist suicide attack in Manbij, Syria, was Scott Wirtz, an ex-Navy SEAL. Wirtz, a St. Louis native, was killed while working as a civilian contractor supporting the Pentagon's efforts against ISIS militants in the region, a mission called Operation Inherent Resolve. At least two servicemen were killed in the incident.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this patriot,” said Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, Jr. in a statement. “This is a stark reminder of the dangerous missions we conduct for the nation and of the threats we work hard to mitigate. As President Lincoln described on the fields at Gettysburg, this officer gave the last full measure of devotion."

Also killed in the attack were Army Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Farmer of Florida and Navy Chief Cryptologic Technician Shannon Kent of New York. The Pentagon said the incident was still under investigation. Earlier reports indicated that a fourth American died in the explosion, but the Defense Department statement did not identify a fourth victim.

Wirtz, 42, had been been heavily decorated during his Navy career, having won the SEAL Insignia, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. While at the DIA, he had won its Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism.

He had been working as a civilian specialist since February 2017 and served on several deployments. "Operations support specialists manage, guide, and oversee human intelligence collection operations enabling DOD to meet national security information requirements," the DIA said.

"We are thankful for the dedicated men and women of DIA who continue to put themselves in harm’s way to keep the nation safe,” Ashley said. “Our adversaries never grow tired, so our mission to provide seamless battlefield intelligence, which includes the deployment of DIA personnel to combat zones, never stops.”