US Army Identifies Soldier Found in Morocco After Training Exercise Accident
The remains of First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 27-year-old Army officer from Richmond, Virginia, have been recovered from the Atlantic Ocean near Morocco. Key went missing on May 2nd during a recreational hike to watch the sunset near the Cap Draa Training Area while participating in African Lion, an annual multinational military exercise. According to preliminary reports, a soldier who could not swim fell into the water. A second soldier jumped in to rescue him but was hit by a wave. Key's body was recovered on May 9th by a Moroccan military search team about a mile from where both soldiers entered the ocean. The incident is not believed to be connected to the training exercise itself. A major search-and-rescue operation involving over 1,000 personnel from the United States, Morocco, and other military partners remains underway for the second missing soldier. Key was an air defense artillery officer who had joined the Army in 2023 and earned his commission in 2024.
Key facts
- First Lieutenant Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. was 27 years old and from Richmond, Virginia
- Key disappeared on May 2 during African Lion 26, an annual multinational military exercise
- His body was recovered on May 9 by a Moroccan military search team in the Atlantic Ocean
- The incident occurred during an off-duty recreational hike near the Cap Draa Training Area
- Over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel were involved in the search
- A second soldier remains missing, and search operations continue
- Key had served in the Army since 2023 and was assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command
Limits of this briefing
News coverage across outlets was consistent and based primarily on official military statements. The second missing soldier's identity has not been released pending next-of-kin notification, so search efforts for that individual remain ongoing.
Sources
- CBS News: Body of soldier who went missing in Morocco during training exercise recovered, U.S. Army says Centre
- NBC News: Remains of U.S. soldier who went missing during military exercises in Morocco have been recovered Centre
- NPR: Remains of a U.S. soldier who went missing in Morocco have been recovered Centre
- The Hill: Remains of US soldier who went missing in Morocco recovered Centre
- Stars and Stripes: Body of missing US soldier recovered during search in Morocco Centre