Kent, Shannon Mary

Also known as: SCPO, CYBER WARFARE ACTIVITY SIXTY SIX

Combatant

Female Verified

DiedJanuary 16, 2019

Age35 years old

Location of DeathCENTCOM AOR, SYRIA

Cause of DeathKilled in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS)

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Mary Kent, 35, of Plattsburgh, New York, was a U.S. Navy cryptologic technician assigned to Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66. She was killed by a suicide bomb in Manbij, Syria, on January 16, 2019.

Their Story

Shannon Mary Kent was a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, serving as a cryptologic technician. A native of Plattsburgh, New York, she enlisted in 2003 and was a highly decorated 15-year veteran, having been awarded the Bronze Star and three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, among other honors. She was assigned to Cryptologic Warfare Activity 66, a unit specializing in signals intelligence and cyber warfare.

Kent was killed on January 16, 2019, in the Syrian city of Manbij. According to U.S. Central Command, she was among four Americans who died in a suicide bombing at a local restaurant. The attack, which reportedly killed at least 19 people in total, was claimed by the Islamic State militant group.

Kent's death occurred during Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The operation began in August 2014 after ISIS seized large territories in both countries. The Manbij area, where Kent was deployed, had been cleared of ISIS fighters in 2016 but remained a region of persistent insurgent activity.

Her death was met with statements of mourning from senior military officials. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, said her loss was felt across the Navy. Her body was returned to the United States in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base. She was survived by her husband and two young sons.

Kent was posthumously promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. In 2020, the Navy announced that a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer would be named USS *Shannon Kent* in her honor, recognizing her as the first female sailor killed in action in Syria.