Bill would name Illinois post office for fallen Navy SEAL

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — An Illinois congressman says he plans to introduce legislation to name a post office after a U.S. Navy SEAL from Illinois who was killed in Yemen.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood says the post office in Chillicothe would be named for William Owens, who was known as "Ryan." Owens died Jan. 29 while on a mission at an al-Qaida compound. He was the first known U.S. combat casualty of Donald Trump's presidency.

LaHood tells the Journal Star in Peoria that he has the support of Owens' widow and the Illinois congressional delegation. LaHood says Chillicothe residents consider Owens "as their own."

He was a 1998 graduate of Illinois Valley Central High School in Chillicothe.

In Other News

Advocates urge Austin to act on active duty obesity ‘epidemic’

A new letter urges defense leaders to do more to prevent, identify and treat obesity in the ranks.

The Coast Guard’s only Medal of Honor recipient died rescuing Marines

When asked if he could go back and extract the overwhelmed Marines from Guadalcanal, the 22-year-old Munro reportedly gave a confident, “Hell, yeah!”

VA expands benefits options for vets with other-than-honorable status

Veterans Affairs officials are updating rules regarding benefits eligibility to include more individuals with other-than-honorable discharges.

Senators unsure about House plan to boost troop pay, housing stipends

House lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to increase junior enlisted pay and military housing stipends, but the idea could face opposition in the Senate

Navy authorizes combat awards and devices for Red Sea operations

The move is a nod to the near-daily battles that Navy destroyers have fought with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since October.

Load More