Texas suffers its first casualty in Iran war: female soldier from Carrollton

By Bethany Blankley
The Center Square

Texas has suffered its first casualty in the U.S.-Israel war against Iran: Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton.

She was killed in action on July 17 after Iran struck a U.S. military base, killing three U.S. service members.

1st Lt. Tyler Feehan of ‘Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i, was also killed in the strike. A third was killed whose remains have yet to be identified.

Another U.S. service member was killed in action in northern Iraq on July 18 “during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone. A second service member was wounded and continues to receive medical treatment for a minor injury,” U.S. Central Command said.

They were all killed in action supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Gonzales was killed during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan where she was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the Department of War said. She served as a 14P Air and Missile Defense Crewmember.

“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales,” Brig. Gen. Glenn Henke, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said. “She gave the ultimate sacrifice for her country and will always be remembered as a hero. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and teammates. Our immediate priority is ensuring they have the resources and support they need to process this grief together.”

Gonzales enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2025 and was a member of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense command since January. She graduated from Hebron High School, part of Lewisville ISD in a Dallas suburb.

In response, Gov. Greg Abbott said, Texas mourns her loss and “Her courage and sacrifice represent the very best of Texas.” He also said he and his wife were praying for her family and for Feehan’s family. Feehan was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

“Our nation is forever indebted to them both. God bless our fallen heroes, and God bless Texas,” Abbott said.

Texas Democrats also expressed sorrow for their loss saying, they “gave their lives while serving our nation. We honor their courage and extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and fellow service members. Every American who wears the uniform deserves our gratitude, our respect, and our unwavering support. Their deaths are a painful reminder that every casualty is more than a headline, it is a family forever changed and a community left to grieve.”

Texas Democrats also expressed concerns about the conflict, stating, “The greatest way to honor those who serve is to ensure that when America sends its sons and daughters into harm’s way, it is with a clear mission, a clear strategy, and a clear path home.”

So far, 18 service members have been killed in a conflict the Trump administration won’t say is a war and Congress hasn’t given war power authority to.

The majority, 11, served in the U.S. Army, six in the Air Force and one in the Navy, according to the Defense Casualty Analysis System. Since the conflict began in late February, 447 service members have been wounded in action.

During the Biden administration’s deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, 13 U.S. service members were killed at the Kabul airport, including a 20-year-old Marine from Laredo, Texas, David Lee Espinoza.

After his death, Abbott asked Texans to pray for those “who fought through to the end, for their loved ones, and for all U.S. military members who continue to serve courageously and honorably for our country around the world,” The Center Square reported.

According to data compiled by icasualties.org, 4,586 Americans died fighting the “war on terror” in Iraq and Afghanistan. California and Texas have suffered the most losses, losing 488 Californians and 427 Texans in both wars.