Levi Shirley, American Fighting ISIS in Syria, Killed in Combat: Family

[SZonian]

A young American who joined Syria's Kurdish fighters on the front lines battling ISIS was killed during combat operations, his mother told NBC News.

Susan Shirley said Thursday that she first received an email from a Kurdish captain Tuesday relaying that her son, Levi Shirley, had been killed. Kurdish forces later announced on Facebook that he died on July 14.

"It's about as bad as you might think," Susan Shirley said. "It's every parent's worst nightmare."

Levi Shirley, who would have turned 25 next month, was fighting in Manbij in northern Syria, where U.S.-backed coalition forces have been trying to recapture the city from ISIS.

The State Department said it was aware of reports that an American was killed in Syria, but it could not provide more information.

Susan Shirley said her son wanted to join the military just like his father, who had served in Vietnam. But he was prevented from becoming a Marine, she said, because of "bad eyes."

[excerpted]

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/levi-shirley-american-fighting-isis-syria-killed-combat-family-n614306

RIP Mr. Shirley.  Condolences and prayers to your family.