The Navy announced it would posthumously promote the SEAL who died in a late January operation in Yemen, according to a Thursday statement from the service.
Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens, 36, of Peoria, Ill., died Jan. 29, 2017, in the raid.
“The Navy approved an exception to policy request for Owens’ posthumous advancement, effective the day of his death,” read the statement.
“Owens was eligible for the fiscal year 2018 active duty Senior Chief Petty Officer Selection Board, which will convene in April.”
Owens was part of the raid carried out by SEAL Team 6 to gather intelligence on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In addition to Owens’ death, three other SEALs and a Marine attached to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked on the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group were injured in the operation.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka met Owens’ remains and his family at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the dignified transfer ceremony.
Last year, the Navy promoted Petty Officer First Class Charles H. Keating IV to the rank of Chief Petty Officer after he died in a firefight with ISIS militants in Northern Iraq.
The following is the complete Feb. 2, 2017, statement from the Navy.
WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy announced Thursday that a SEAL killed in action last week will be posthumously advanced to senior chief petty officer.
Chief Special Warfare Operator William “Ryan” Owens, 36, of Peoria, Illinois, died Jan. 29, 2017, in the Arabian Peninsula of Yemen, of wounds sustained in a raid against al-Qaida.
The Navy approved an exception to policy request for Owens’ posthumous advancement, effective the day of his death.
Owens was eligible for the fiscal year 2018 active duty Senior Chief Petty Officer Selection Board, which will convene in April.
