eritvnews: Fallen American Navy, family got presidential visit.

Chief Petty Officer William

President Trump “had a very somber and lengthy conversation with the family” of Chief Petty Officer William “Ryan” Owens, the Navy SEAL killed in Yemen over the weekend, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

“The president offered his sincerest condolences to Officer Owens’ wife, his father and their three children,” Spicer said during his Tuesday briefing.

Owens, 36, was the first service member killed in action since Trump became commander-in-chief. The chief petty officer was part of a SEAL team carrying out a raid against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which resulted in the deaths of 14 members of the terrorist group (including three senior leaders) and the recovery of intelligence data that could prove useful in thwarting future attacks.

Owens, who was from Peoria, Ill., died of wounds sustained during what was reportedly a two-hour gunfight.
“Ryan gave his full measure for our nation, and in performing his duty, he upheld the noblest standard of military service,” Defense Secretary James Mattis said in a statement Monday. “The United States would not long exist were it not for the selfless commitment of such warriors.”

Source: westernjournalism