COLUMBUS – Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak of Berlin Heights was one of the 13 service members killed Thursday while supporting non-combatant evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense said Saturday that the 22-year-old died during an attack at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport.
He enlisted in September 2017 and attended Hospital Corpsman School in San Antonio, Texas, before postings in Guam and at Camp Pendleton.
Soviak lived in Berlin Heights and graduated from Edison High School in 2017, where he also wrestled and played football.
At Friday night’s football game, fans honored him with a moment of silence.
Governor Mike DeWine Thursday night ordered all U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff on public buildings and grounds throughout the state until sunset on August 30 to honor the dead and injured.
“At a time when we first went into Afghanistan, it was used as the place in the world where terrorists could gather and find safe harbor,” DeWine said in a statement.
“We made the decision to go in there right after 9-11. The fact that we are safe in the U.S. is direct result of what they did. I want those families [of fallen service members] to understand that. We thank them and we thank the men and women who came home. What you did made a difference,” he said.
Ohio’s leaders and would-be leaders weighed in on Thursday’s attack:
“Today is a tragic day for our country. For the first time in more than 18 months we have lost members of our armed forces who were serving in Afghanistan to hostile action. These brave Marines and Navy Corpsman died honorably trying to save their fellow countrymen and those Afghan allies who have supported our troops, diplomats and citizens for two decades. There will be plenty of time for finger pointing and politics. Now is the time to express our gratitude to all the men and women of our armed services who have put themselves in harm’s way and offer our special prayers and condolences to the families and comrades of those who made the ultimate sacrifice today.” -U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH)
“My prayers are with our fallen and injured servicemembers and their families. My heart breaks by the loss of so many American servicemembers and innocent Afghans today in Kabul. These heroes made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the most vulnerable among us. They represent the very best of what it means to be an American. We will forever be indebted to them and their service.” -Cong. Tim Ryan (D-Youngstown), candidate for U.S. Senate
“Brave American service men and women senselessly lost their lives today. I’m praying for them and their loved ones and all of those who are still stuck in Kabul. The US’ withdrawal did not have to be this way, and I’m infuriated that the Biden Administration allowed this to happen. Today’s tragedy is the direct result of Joe Biden’s incompetence and refusal to deal with a serious situation that continues to engulf and ruin innocent American lives. He has proven to be a failure for the American people. He should resign.” – J.D. Vance, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
“As I said more than ten days ago, Joe Biden must resign. If he doesn’t resign, he should be impeached. This is dereliction of duty at the highest level: The Commander in Chief of the greatest military force in the history of the world has handed over the security for American civilians in harm’s way to known thugs and terrorists. Resign now.” -Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Gibbons
“This is a tragic day for America. I pray for the U.S. service members and civilians killed in Kabul today as well as those injured and their families. President Biden owns responsibility for this outcome. He ignored the warnings from his top generals, he allowed the Taliban to dictate terms to the United States, and he has left Americans stranded in the hands of terrorists. I call on the President to keep his promise of a swift and forceful response. I also call on Congress to reconvene and pass legislation to ensure every American is safely removed from Afghanistan on our timeline, not the Taliban’s.” – Mike Carey, Republican candidate for U.S. House (OH-15)