The body of one of the U.S. soldiers who went missing during a Northern Africa training exercise has been recovered by a Moroccan military search team.
The two soldiers had been reported missing one week ago after participating in U.S. Africa Command’s exercise African Lion 2026. The initial investigation suggested that on May 2, one service member jumped into the ocean to save the other service member who had fallen into the water off the sea cliffs by the Cap Draa Training Area outside of Tan-Tan, Morocco.
The U.S. Army identified the soldier as First Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia. The search team discovered Key’s body at around 8:55 a.m. on May 9. Key was a platoon leader in Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Brig. Gen Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said his troops are mourning Key’s loss.
“Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family is grieving, and we will continue to support one another and 1st Lt. Key’s Family as we honor his life and service,” King said.
During his time in the Army, Key received the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
Officials believe the May 2nd incident was an accident. CBS reported that when the first soldier, known to not be able to swim, fell into the water, his fellow service members on the hike attempted to form a chain-rope with their belts to rescue him, though they were unsuccessful. The second soldier jumped into the water to help rescue him, but was hit by a wave before he could attempt to save him.
ONE MISSING US SOLDIER IN MOROCCO DOVE INTO WATER TRYING TO SAVE COMRADE
The military press release said Key’s remains have been taken to a morgue in a Guelmim, Morocco hospital and that plans are underway to repatriate his remains to the U.S.
They said the search for the other soldier’s remains and the investigation are ongoing.