Body of soldier who went missing in Morocco during training exercise recovered, U.S. Army says
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The body of First Lieutenant Lamont Key Jr., an American soldier who went missing off Morocco's southern coast during a training exercise, was recovered by Moroccan military search teams about a mile from where he disappeared on May 2.
- Key and another unidentified U.S. service member vanished after a soldier who could not swim fell into the water during a hike; the second soldier reportedly attempted a rescue but was hit by a wave, and search efforts for him continue.
- The soldiers were participating in the African Lion annual training exercise, though officials do not believe the incident was directly related to the event.
- Key, 27, from Richmond, Virginia, served as an air defense artillery officer and was praised by military leadership for his dedication, leadership, and selflessness; plans are underway to repatriate his remains to the U.S.
- The Army and Moroccan personnel involved over 1,000 individuals in the search, and Key's colleagues and family are receiving support as they grieve his loss.
