The U.S. Army has identified one of two American soldiers who went missing near Morocco’s Cap Draa Training Area during African Lion 26, saying his remains were recovered along the shoreline as the search continues for a second missing soldier.
According to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, a Moroccan military search team found the soldier in the water at about 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, roughly one mile from where the two soldiers reportedly entered the ocean on May 2.
The soldier was identified as 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., 27, of Richmond, Virginia. He was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and served as an Air Defense Artillery officer.
“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 the Army statement. “Our hearts are with his Family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and served alongside him.”
King said the command will continue supporting Key’s family and the soldiers who served with him.
The Army said U.S. and Moroccan forces are continuing a large-scale search for the second missing soldier, using ground, air and maritime assets. More than 1,000 U.S. and Moroccan military and civilian personnel have been involved in the search operation.
Gen. Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, said Moroccan forces had provided extensive support during the operation, including mountaineering teams, dive teams, unmanned aircraft operators, aircraft and maritime assets.
“While in Morocco, I was able to witness the professionalism and urgency of the combined search effort,” Donahue said. “Our Moroccan hosts have provided every asset we’ve requested and incredible subject-matter expertise.”
After Key’s remains were recovered, U.S. and Moroccan forces focused intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets on that area while continuing to monitor the broader search zone, the Army said.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship and business administration. He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and received his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024.
He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Key joined Charlie Battery in 2025, where he was serving as a platoon leader.
Lt. Col. Chris Couch, commander of 5-4 ADAR, described Key as a selfless and inspirational leader whose commitment to his soldiers left a lasting mark on the unit.
“The 5-4 ADAR Family mourns the loss of an exceptional teammate, and our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the Key Family,” Couch said.
Key’s awards and decorations included the Army Achievement Medal and Army Service Ribbon.
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.
The Army said Key’s next of kin have been notified. The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces transported his remains by helicopter to the morgue of Moulay El Hassan Military Hospital in Guelmim, Morocco. Plans are underway to repatriate his remains to the United States.
Search and rescue operations remain underway, and the Army said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
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