The son of a D.C. restaurant owner was of one of six American troops killed in a suicide attack near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, his family announced Tuesday.
Air Force Staff Sergeant Peter Taub died Monday after an attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into his patrol in a village near the airfield.
Wednesday, his body was returned to the U.S., along with those of his fellow troops killed in the attack, as part of a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base.
Arlene Wagner, who owns Bub and Pops in Dupont, announced her son's death on the restaurant's Facebook page Tuesday. Taub's brother, Jonathan Taub, is the restaurant's chef.
Wagner told News4 that she learned her son had died yesterday, when Jonathan got a message from her ex-husband, who is Jonathan and Peter's father.
When she returned to her home, she found Air Force officials waiting for her. Learning what had happened to Peter was the worst feeling of her life, Wagner said.
Taub's father, who lives in Philadelphia, said Peter hadn't told his family that he was in Afghanistan, because he didn't want to worry them. They believed he was in Saudi Arabia, NBC Philadelphia reported.
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Taub was 30, with a wife and 3-year-old -- and a second baby expected this summer, NBC Philadelphia reported. He had been in service for 8 years, Wagner said.
The family has started a GoFundMe page to support Taub's wife and daughter. To give to the fund, click here.
12/22/2015. My son, Chef Jon's brother, Staff Sargeant Peter Taub was one of six killed yesterday in Afghanistan. The restaurant is closed for the rest of this week.
Posted by Bub and Pops on Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Messages posted online and at the restaurant say the business will be closed for the time being.
Five others in Taub's convoy of U.S., NATO and Afghan forces were also killed. The Pentagon has identified the troops as Technical Sgt. Joseph Lemm, a 15-year New York City police veteran, Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa of Coram, Long Island, Michael Cinco of Mercedes, Texas, Staff Sgt. Chester McBride, of Statesboro, Georgia, and Maj. Adrianna M. Vorderbruggen of Plymouth, Minnesota.
Two other Americans and an interpreter were wounded, U.S. officials said.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
