The body of a U.S. soldier who went missing during a training exercise in southwestern Morocco earlier this month has been recovered, the U.S. Army announced on May 10.
1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, was one of two U.S. soldiers who went missing on May 2 near the Cap Draa Training Area, the Army said in a news release. A Moroccan military search team found Key's body along the shoreline at about 8:55 a.m. local time on May 9, about a mile from where the soldiers were reported missing.
"Today, we mourn the loss of 1st Lt. Kendrick Key, whose remains were recovered in Morocco," Brig. Gen Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement. "Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Family is grieving, and we will continue to support one another and 1st Lt. Key’s Family as we honor his life and service."
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Who was 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr.?
Key, of Richmond, Virginia, was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, according to the Army. He also served as a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration, the Army said. He later entered the military service in 2023 as an officer candidate, earning his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer.
According to the Army, Key joined Charlie Battery in 2025 and served as a platoon leader. He was known for the "care he showed for his soldiers, his commitment to others, and the relationships he built across the formation."
In a released statement, Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR, described Key as an "exceptional teammate" and said his outfit is mourning Key.
"Kendrick embodied the highest standards of service as a selfless, inspirational leader whose unwavering dedication to his soldiers and their development leaves an enduring legacy within our ranks," Couch said.
Key's next of kin were notified, the Army said. He is survived by his father, Kendrick Key Sr.; his mother, Jihan Key; his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill; and his brother-in-law, U.S. Army Spc. James Brown.
Search efforts ongoing for second US soldier
The Army said search and rescue efforts for the second U.S. soldier, who has not been identified, will continue. Over 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civil personnel have been involved in the search operation.
"While in Morocco, I was able to witness the professionalism and urgency of the combined search effort," USAREUR-AF commander, Gen. Christopher Donahue, said in a statement. "Our Moroccan hosts have provided every asset we’ve requested and incredible subject-matter expertise, from mountaineering and dive teams to UAS operators, aircraft and maritime assets. We’re incredibly grateful for the efforts they, along with our teammates from across the services, continue to pour in as we search for our remaining soldier."
The two U.S. service members were participating in military exercises known as African Lion 26, USA TODAY previously reported. African Lion is an annual joint exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia that aims to "strengthen interoperability among U.S. forces, NATO Allies, and African partner nations," according to the U.S. Army of Europe and Africa website.
The Moroccan portion of the exercise kicked off April 27, according to the U.S. Army. The activities in Morocco involved about 5,000 personnel from more than 40 nations and over 30 U.S.-based industry partners.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Body of US soldier who went missing in Morocco found
