Iowa Gov. Reynolds awarded a Purple Heart to a wounded soldier from an ISIS attack in Syria during a military visit to the Middle East.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds awarded a Purple Heart to a National Guard soldier injured in a December 13, 2025, ISIS attack in Syria during a five-day visit to military sites in Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait. She honored nearly 1,800 Iowa National Guard personnel deployed in the region, praising their service in Operation Inherent Resolve and highlighting the role of Iowa-based medical teams in treating the wounded. The visit underscored the state’s ongoing military commitment and the personal sacrifices of service members, including those who died in the attack.