Local U.S. serviceman among three killed in Jordan military base attack
A Houston man was one of three U.S. service men killed in Jordan on Friday.
Jimmy Moriarty Jr., 27, and two other service members were shot to death during a training mission as they entered a King Faisal Air Force base near Al Jafr in Jordan. Jimmy Moriarty Jr. was a member of the Army's Special Forces.
"We are saddened to report that three U.S. service members were killed today in a shooting incident at a Jordanian military base," Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said in a statement to ABC News. "The three service members were in Jordan on a training mission, and the initial report is that they came under fire as they were entering the facility in vehicles."
Jimmy's father, Jimmy Moriarty Sr., said his son was due to come home in two weeks. He says he heard about the attack in Jordan on NPR as he was driving home and had a feeling it was his son.
His worst fear was confirmed Friday night.
"At about nine at night, two Army soldiers showed up at my ex-wife's home in Kerrville to announce my son had been killed in Jordan," Jimmy Sr. said.
The family believes the ambush was ISIS-related and says this has to stop.
"We have sent enough of our children back in body bags. It's time to declare victory and get the hell out of the Middle East," Jimmy Sr. said.
On Facebook, he posted a heartfelt message in memory of his son:
"For 15 years I have grieved for the losses suffered by the parents and families of our children who we have sent off to these meaningless wars. Today my family, and all of us suffer from the loss of my son. My only son. Jimmy was handsome, smart as shit, and someone who every person who ever met could connect with and love in a heartbeat. #nomorewar"
Jimmy Moriarty Jr. earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Texas.
One of his closest friends says the news of his death blindsided him. He says they last spoke during Jimmy's last visit to Houston.
"I was out of town. We just had a quick 'hey sorry I'm out of town, I'll catch you next time around Thanksgiving' type of conversation," says Patrick Sermas.
It would be the last call the two would have between each other.
"I'm going to miss him," Sermas added.
To Patrick, a friend since first grade, he was just Jimmy.
"He did give me my first beer growing up, and introduced me to the first girl I kissed. That all goes back to his charming and have a great time personality," Sermas tells Eyewitness News.
Sermas says Jimmy convinced him to transfer to UT after his freshman year at Purdue.
"We hung out over Christmas break and again it's like we were never apart for six months. He just planted the seed of 'it's worth applying to UT' and I did. Before you know it we were organizing renting an apartment together," he added.
Sermas says Jimmy always wanted to follow in the military footsteps of his father.
"Because of my service with three tours of duty in Vietnam, I taught him about guns, and shooting things, and blowing s*** up," added the elder Moriarty.
"Guys like that aren't a dime a dozen," added Sermas. "The world lost an incredible person, an incredible friend, and a great selfless person who had the calling to serve his country."
Family spokesman Wayne Dolcefino says the family is heartbroken and they are planning a memorial service in a week or so.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
