Villotcarrasco, Yeshabel

Also known as: SN, USS JAMES E WILLIAMS (DDG 95)

Combatant

Female Verified

DiedJune 19, 2014

Age23 years old

Location of DeathIraq and Syria

Cause of DeathNon-combat related injury

Conflict Operation Inherent Resolve

Yeshabel Villotcarrasco, 23, of Parma, Ohio, was a Seaman in the U.S. Navy assigned to the USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). She died on June 19, 2014, in the Iraq-Syria region during Operation Inherent Resolve.

Their Story

Yeshabel Villotcarrasco was a 23-year-old from Parma, Ohio, who served as a Seaman in the United States Navy. She was assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95).

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Villotcarrasco died on June 19, 2014, in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which at the time encompassed Iraq and Syria. The official release stated she died from a non-combat related injury. The specific circumstances of the incident were not detailed in public announcements.

Her death occurred during the early buildup for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The operation was formally launched on August 8, 2014, but U.S. military personnel were active in the region in advisory and support roles in the preceding months as ISIS seized territory in Iraq.

Villotcarrasco's death was reported by several Ohio news outlets, which noted her local connection to Parma. The Navy and the Department of Defense announced her death, extending condolences to her family and shipmates.

She is listed on the Pentagon's official casualty list for Operation Inherent Resolve. According to the Defense Casualty Analysis System, she was one of the first U.S. service members to die in connection with the campaign against ISIS.