Soldier, Former NH Student Killed In Syria Bombing

LACONIA, NH — A former Laconia High School student was one of four Americans killed in a bombing in Syria this week. Jonathan Farmer, 37, of Boynton Beach, Florida, was a decorated U.S. Army Green Beret. He leaves behind a wife and four children.

The attack happened Wednesday in the city of Manbij. An ISIS fighter wearing an explosive vest detonated the device, killing at least a dozen people by a restaurant, CNN reported.

Farmer played basketball and baseball at Laconia High before moving to Florida in 1997, according to The Laconia Daily Sun. Teacher Tim Steuer told the newspaper Farmer, who stood about 6 feet 5 inches, was an imposing presence who came back to the school to talk to students about joining the military.

"He just about took up the whole doorway walking in," Steuer told the newspaper.

Farmer attended Bowdoin College in Maine and captained the basketball team. Coach Tim Gilbride said in a statement Farmer was "a great teammate and competitor ... a quality person — someone we all enjoyed being around."

Farmer served six combat tours and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, among a host of commendations. He was in Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. campaign against terror groups in Syria and Iraq.

Photo credit: U.S. Army