The American commando killed in a hostage rescue mission in Iraq Thursday was identified as 39-year- old Delta Force commando, Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of Roland, Oklahoma, defense officials told NBC News Friday.
Wheeler was killed during a joint U.S.-Kurdish operation to free dozens of hostages who faced imminent execution by ISIS in Iraq, U.S. officials said Thursday.
The commando was the first service member to die in combat operations against the militant group.
