Soldiers from Kansas, Texas, Arizona killed in Jordan

Left to right: Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, Staff Sgt. James F Moriarty (U.S. Army)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Defense Department has identified three soldiers killed in a shooting this week outside a military base in Jordan.

The department said Sunday that 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, of Lawrence, Kansas; 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe of Tucson, Arizona; and 27-year-old Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty of Kerrville, Texas, died Friday after the convoy they were in came under fire as it entered a Jordanian military base.

The Defense Department is investigating.

The department says the soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Lewellen's family said in a statement to The Kirksville Daily Express he was raised in Kirksville, Missouri, and was a "born leader, a true American." They said his military awards included the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal.