Navy SEAL Killed in Iraq Had 'Magnetic, Infectious' Personality: Commander

CORONADO, CA: Along with confirming the identity of a Coronado-based Navy SEAL killed Tuesday during combat with Islamic State of Iraq, officials with the U.S. Department of Defense on Wednesday also released details of the battle that led to the casualty.

Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Charles “Charlie” H. Keating IV, 31, of San Diego, died while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the DOD confirmed in a statement.

Army Col. Steven Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, said in a teleconference briefing Wednesday with Pentagon reporters from Baghdad that Keating responded to an ISIL attack on the peshmerga forces as part of a U.S. quick-reaction force in the village of Tal Asquf at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“ISIL forces breached the peshmerga forward lines,” he said. “At [7:50 a.m.], the Americans there became involved in the ensuing firefight and called in a quick-reaction force. It is a group of very well-armed, very well-equipped, very well-trained American service members whose mission is to stand by, stand at the ready, when American forces are operating.”

Keating was struck by direct fire shortly after 9:30 a.m., and though he was evacuated within what Warren called the “all-important golden hour” between being wounded and receiving medical treatment, his wound was not survivable.

“Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to that American service member and his family,” Warren said. “He is an American hero. This is a reminder of the risk our men and women face every day supporting the fight against ISIL.”

Warren described the ISIL attack as large-scale.

“We think there were at least 125 enemy fighters involved in this fairly complicated, complex attack. So it was a big fight — one of the largest we've seen recently,” the colonel said.

Keating’s Coronado-based Navy SEAL Team Commander provided this statement to Patch:

"There are a countless motives that bring guys into the SEAL Teams, but it’s guys like Chuck that make us stay. His magnetic personality and positive attitude were infectious. He was an experienced combat veteran and a respected leader in the Special Operations community. A true waterman, warrior and Patriot, he fittingly went down swinging alongside his brothers in a withering firefight right where he wanted to be. Chuck will be sorely missed by all of us, but never forgotten.”

Keating, who grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, was engaged to be married.

(Photo provided by Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Public Affairs Office)