FORT BRAGG — The Identities of two Fort Bragg soldiers killed in action have been released by the U.S. Department of War.
The U.S. Department of War identified soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Jordan as 25-year-old First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan and 30-year-old Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton. Both men were stationed at Fort Bragg.
The incidents that led to their deaths remain under investigation
Feehan died after the July 17, Iran attack on a U.S. airbase in Jordan. He was commissioned in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in 2019. Feehan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein extended his condolences to Feehan’s family and the Fort Bragg community, saying Feehan is owed “a debt of gratitude.”
Feehan was from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and began his military career as a combat engineer with the Hawaii National Guard. In 2024 he became an active-duty Air Defense Artillery Officer and acted as a Platoon leader at Fort Bragg.
“1st Lt. Feehan’s unwavering dedication to our mission, our values, and the air defenders he led will leave an enduring legacy,” Brig. Gen. John Dawber, 32nd AAMDC commanding general, said in a U.S. Army release.
Feehan obtained the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge during his years of service.
On July 21, one day after announcing Feheen’s death, the Department of War announced Swinton’s.
Swinton was a Fayetteville native and died July 19 at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. U.S. Central Command reported he passed away during “a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.”
Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He first enlisted in 2017 as an air defense early warning system operator.
Swinton leaves behind a wife and young daughter. His widow Mia Gonzalez-Swinton has taken to social media calling Swinton her best friend.
“I will never recover from this, you should be home,” Gonzalez-Swinton said in a social media post. “We had so many plans for when you got back, I’m sick to my stomach.”
During his service, Swinton received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.
“I am saddened to share another casualty close to home from the war in the Middle East,.” Gov. Stein said, adding, “may his memory be a blessing.”
Both Swinton and Feehan will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. Posthumously Feheen will be promoted to captain and Swinton to staff sergeant.
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