The U.S. Army on Friday announced the deaths of two Georgia National Guard members who were killed this week in non-combat incidents in Baghdad, Iraq.
Wednesday’s deaths of Spc. Travis Jordan Pameni, 23, of Douglasville, and Spc. Owen James Elliott, 23, of Twin City, are being investigated as separate incidents, Army officials said in a news release.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Specialist Pameni and Specialist Elliott,” said Maj. Gen. Dwayne Wilson, Adjutant General of the Georgia Guard. “Both of these soldiers selflessly served our state and nation. We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of both soldiers.”
Pameni was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment based out of Lawrenceville.
In a public Facebook post, Pameni’s wife said she was made the “happiest woman in the world” when he proposed on her birthday in July 2023. The couple would have celebrated their first wedding anniversary in October.
“Even though it’ll be hard to take care of myself I will try little-by-little, day-by-day to do it for you and make you smile from up in the sky watching and protecting me,” she wrote. “You are my everything plus more.”
Elliott was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment based out of Savannah. His mother, Sandie Elliott, called him her “sweet baby boy” in a public Facebook post.
Elliot’s unit began a Middle East deployment in December, the Georgia National Guard has said, focusing on air defense artillery.
There’s no evidence of foul play, officials said, according to The Associated Press.
No other details were released about the incidents. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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