'She wouldn't want us to be sad': US Army Pvt Isabella Gonzales, 19, mourned after death in Jordan
WASHINGTON, DC: Friends, classmates, and community members are remembering 19-year-old Army Pvt Isabella Gonzales as a brave, cheerful, and determined young woman after the Pentagon identified her as one of two US soldiers killed while defending against an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan.
Gonzales, a Carrollton, Texas, native and a 2025 Hebron High School graduate, was killed during the strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base.
The Defense Department said she was serving with the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, based in Ansbach, Germany, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Friends remember Isabella Gonzales' joyful spirit
For Gonzales' friends, the loss is still difficult to comprehend.
"We were just in a room over there, laughing and having the time of our lives," her friend Misael Galdamez told CBS Texas. "Now she's just a memory, and it feels so weird."
Friends described Gonzales as outgoing, spontaneous, and someone who loved dancing. They recalled how she left for Army boot camp almost exactly a year ago, determined to challenge herself despite her initial doubts.
"I think she really did want to make people proud of who she was," friend Zuleyka Acosta said. "She wanted to be very disciplined, and she wanted people to view her as someone who was very brave."
The group had been counting down to Gonzales' planned visit home in September. Instead, they are now honoring her memory by sharing stories of her kindness, optimism, and resilience.
"She wouldn't want us to be sad," Galdamez said. "She wants us to be happy and keep moving on, but still remember her."
Texas honors Army Pvt Isabella Gonzales
The Lewisville Independent School District said Gonzales' decision to enlist immediately after graduating from Hebron High School reflected her courage and character.
"She gave her life in that service, and our district is heartbroken by her loss," the district said in a statement. "Her decision to serve after graduation speaks volumes of her character."
The City of Carrollton described Gonzales as a "national hero," while Texas Gov Greg Abbott said her courage and sacrifice represented "the very best of Texas."
The Pentagon also identified the second soldier killed in the attack as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Feehan, who was assigned to the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will be posthumously promoted to captain and awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge.
Military officials said the attack marked the first US troop deaths caused by direct Iranian fire since the early days of the conflict. A third service member remains unaccounted for as investigators examine unidentified remains recovered from the strike site in Jordan.
