When contacted separately by telephone on Saturday, Sergeant Melgar’s widow, Michelle, and his brother, Shawn, declined to comment. The sergeant also helped assess which Malian Army troops might be trained and equipped to build a counterterrorism force. The Americans helped provide intelligence for missions, and had participated in at least two such operations in Mali this year before Sergeant Melgar’s death. According to one version of events, one of the SEALs put Sergeant Melgar in a chokehold. A final tribute awaits Sergeant Melgar: He is scheduled to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 20.

Source: New York Times October 29, 2017 18:58 UTC