Memorial held for local U.S. serviceman

HOUSTON – Hundreds of people gathered to remember a Houston soldier killed when someone opened fire outside a military base in Jordan.

Jimmy Moriarty funeral service was held Saturday. He is expected to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.  

The 27-year-old soldier was one of three U.S. servicemen killed in an attack in Jordan early this month.

Moriarty, a graduate of Strake Jesuit High School, served three tours of duty in Jordan as a member of the U.S. Special Forces.

Moriarty and his fellow troops were stationed in Jordan as a part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the Jordanian military to fight terrorism, Moriarty's father, James "Jim" Moriarty, said.

"He was just extraordinary, courageous, diligent, hardworking, and now he's gone,"  the elder Moriarty said.

His son was one of three U.S. serviceman killed the morning of Nov. 4 as they entered they entered King Faisal Air Force Base near Al Jafr in Jordan.

The U.S. military has not released much information surrounding the death of  the younger Moriarty and the two other U.S. servicemen.

Wayne Dolcefino, a spokesman for the Moriarty family, said the Jordanian military has said the shooting was an accident; however, the Moriarty family will not accept this as the truth and is demanding answers. Jim Moriarty told KPRC2 he believes his son was ambushed.

"These were three of the most qualified well-trained, thoughtful, capable young men that our country trains," Moriarty said.

Moriarty, or “Jimbo,” as the family liked to call him, graduated from the University of Texas and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, after college. He was supposed to come back home in two weeks.

“This is a young man who loved serving in the Army, was where he wanted to be, doing what he wanted to do. He was the most heartwarming, friendly kid you ever met. I am devastated, heartbroken,” Jim Moriarty said.

The soldier's father said there will never be a day for the rest of his life, where he doesn't think about his son.

"Jimmy was one of a kind," Moriarty said.

Friends of the younger Moriarty gathered last Sunday to share stories about their friend.

"He was an incredibly person and he'd do anything for his friends," Eugene Terry said.

"Growing up with him he was always the life of the party and he brought a spirit to everything," Zachary Taylor said.