New video is believed to show a battle in Iraq that claimed the life of Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Keating IV.
The parents of the Navy SEAL, who spoke only to Action News Jax, are heading to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where all slain service members return home.
Keating’s was the third American combat death since the U.S. redeployed in Iraq in 2014.
The video is from the front lines of the fight north of Mosul. Keating and his team were sent in Tuesday morning when a team of military advisers was attacked by ISIS. They went into the gunfire to save them.
Keating was killed when a rocket hit the car in which he was riding. The headline of the Navy Times read, “'Bullets everywhere:’ Navy SEAL killed by ISIS was sucked into a hellish fight.”
The 31-year-old was a decorated Navy SEAL who had been on four previous deployments. His family described him as a fun-loving, devoted son, brother and soon-to-be husband. Keating was set to marry his fiancée in November after he returned home in August.
His parents said they are proud knowing that he died working to save others, and said serving in the SEALs was his lifelong dream.
“He had a poster on his wall at 8 years old, and this was what he wanted to do,” said Krista Joseph, Keating’s mother. “I think everything he did in his life, from scuba diving when he was 13 and from jumping out of a plane, he was really preparing himself for being a SEAL, and he was very good at it.”
Keating’s mother and stepfather said their phone has been ringing off the hook with calls of support, love and thank yous.
“A decorated combat veteran, U.S. Navy Seal Charles Keating IV gave up his life while heroically working to shield others from ISIS terrorists,” said Congressman Ander Crenshaw. “His death is a tragic reminder of the constant risks to our men and women in uniform and the need to stay vigilant and strong on the road ahead. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and loved ones.”
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