Recovery of Missing American Soldier's Body in Morocco
Body of Missing Soldier Found
The remains of an American soldier who went missing have been located off the Moroccan coast, over a week after two US service members disappeared during a training operation. Lamont Key Jr., aged 27, was last seen on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area while taking part in the African Lion exercise, an annual multinational military drill. Efforts to locate a second soldier who is still missing are ongoing. According to a statement from the US Army, Lt. Key's body was discovered by a Moroccan military search team at approximately 08:55 local time on Saturday, about a mile from the site where both soldiers were last seen. More than 1,000 personnel from both American and Moroccan military and civilian sectors have participated in the search, as reported by the Army. The identity of the second missing soldier has not yet been disclosed. US defense officials indicated that the incident does not appear to be directly related to the African Lion exercise. Initial reports suggest that the two soldiers were part of a group that went to observe the sunset near the water. One soldier, who reportedly could not swim, fell into the ocean, prompting the second soldier to jump in to assist him but was subsequently hit by a wave. Other soldiers attempted to rescue both individuals but were unsuccessful. The Army has not confirmed which soldier Lt. Key was. He served as an air defense artillery officer with the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, he joined his battalion in 2025 and later advanced to the role of platoon leader. Lt. Col. Chris Couch praised him as “a selfless, inspirational leader,” noting that his commitment to his soldiers and their growth will leave a lasting impact. Brig. Gen. Curtis King mentioned that fellow soldiers are in mourning and will continue to support each other and Lt. Key’s family. The Army confirmed that Lt. Key is survived by his parents, a sister, and a brother-in-law. His remains have been moved to a local morgue in Morocco before being sent back to the United States. Prior to his military service, which began in 2023, Lt. Key earned a degree in marketing from Methodist University, along with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration. Throughout his military career, he received numerous accolades, including the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.