A fallen Navy SEAL with family in Northeast Florida was honored by President Barack Obama during remarks at Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day.
Navy SEAL Charlie Keating IV was killed while saving others from ISIS earlier this month in Iraq.
“Today we honor Chief Special Warfare Officer Charles Keating IV,” Obama said.
Keating, an Arizona native, enlisted in the Navy in 2007 and was previously awarded a Bronze Star for Valor after he helped his fellow Navy SEALs who had been ambushed by terrorists.
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“He joined the SEALs because he told his friends it was the hardest thing to do,” Obama said.
The military said Keating once again jumped into action to protect others during an attack by ISIS in Iraq in early May where he was killed.
Keating’s parents spoke with Action News Jax shortly after learning of his death.
“Probably the worst thing you ever want to see is four Navy guys standing at your front door with grim faces on,” Keating’s stepfather Ron Joseph said.
“He was a hero and I’m so glad that hopefully he’ll be remembered,” Keating’s mother Krista Joseph said.
Keating was the third American combat death since the U.S. redeployed in Iraq in 2014.
“Today I ask you to remember their stories as well,” Obama said Monday.
Cox Media Group
