President Trump “had a very somber and lengthy conversation with the family” of Chief Petty Officer William Ryan Owens, the Navy SEAL killed over the weekend in Yemen, 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 Tuesday’s briefing.
“Chief Owens was on his 12th deployment, from what I understand,” Spicer said. “We could never repay the debt of gratitude we owe him, the freedom that he fought for, and the sacrifice that he made as well as the other members of his unit who were injured in this operation.”
The Pentagon said Owens, 36, was from Peoria, Ill., and died Saturday in Yemen “of wounds sustained in a raid against al Qaeda.” The raid killed 14 members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and collected information that will give insight into the planning of future terrorist attacks, U.S. Central Command said.
“Ryan gave his full measure for our nation, and in performing his duty, he upheld the noblest standard of military service,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. “The United States would not long exist were it not for the selfless commitment of such warriors.
Jacqueline Klimas contributed.
