Soldier with T&T roots among US war dead

A United States Army sergeant of Trinidad and Tobago heritage who had been reported missing following an Iranian attack on a US military base in Jordan has now been confirmed dead. The Pentagon on Tuesday identified Sgt Angel Sarah Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, as the fourth American service member believed to have been killed in the July 17 attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

In a statement, the US Department of War said Rampersad, who had previously been listed as missing, is now "believed to have been killed in action." "The incident is under investigation," the Pentagon stated, adding that her duty status had been changed from "Whereabouts Unknown" to "believed to be deceased."Rampersad was assigned to the Germany-based 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago today issued a statement expressing condolences to the United States and paying special tribute to Rampersad, whose father is a Trinidad and Tobago national and whose mother is an American citizen. The Government confirmed that United States authorities formally notified Trinidad and Tobago's Acting Vice Consulate in New York of Rampersad's death.