CARROLLTON, Texas — The body of a 19-year-old U.S. Army private will return home to Carrollton on Wednesday, July 22. Isabella Gonzales, a Carrollton native and 2025 graduate of Hebron High School, died supporting a mission against Islamic State forces after the attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday, July 17.

“Gonzales will be remembered as a national hero. The City of Carrollton community extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who knew or served alongside her,” the city of Carrollton said in a post on Monday, July 20.

According to a news release by Dover Air Force Base, a dignified transfer of Gonzales’ remains will take place on Wednesday, July 22.

She was identified by the Army on Monday, July 20. She was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany. She served as a 14P Air and Missile Defense Crewmember.

“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales,” Brig. Gen. Glenn Henke, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said in a news release on Monday, July 20. “She gave the ultimate sacrifice for her country and will always be remembered as a hero. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and teammates. Our immediate priority is ensuring they have the resources and support they need to process this grief together.”

As the body of Isabella Gonzales is brought home to North Texas, the City of Carrollton and American Legion Post 597 are coordinating support and assistance for her family.

“She went to the same high school my son did,” said Post 597 Commander John Norsworthy. “They live a quarter mile from where I do,” he said explaining his emotional reaction to the death of a young woman he never met.

“We just want to be there for her. Because it could have been me. It could have been me that came home and I’d want somebody to support my family,” Norsworthy said.

American Legion Post 597 in Carrollton put up a tribute to Gonzales on the post’s website and started a fundraiser to support her family.

“During this incredibly difficult time, the American Legion Family of Carrollton is collecting donations to help support Isabella’s family with immediate and future needs,” American Legion Post 597 Commander John Norsworthy wrote in the fundraiser. “Every contribution, no matter the amount, is a meaningful expression of gratitude, compassion, and remembrance. Together, let us honor Isabella’s service by standing beside the family she loved. Thank you for helping us show them they are not alone.”

Tuesday night, the Carrollton City Council, with Isabella’s framed photo at the front of the stage next to a bouquet of flowers, held a moment of silence and then prayer in her honor. Mayor Steve Babick read an emotional tribute to her and announced that plans are in the works for a community vigil this weekend and that her name will be added to the Carrollton Veterans Memorial. Funeral and memorial announcements have not yet been finalized, although the soldier, posthumously promoted to Private First Class, is expected to be given full military honors at DFW National Cemetery.

“Isabella we will all remember you,” Mayor Steve Babick said. “today, through the coming weeks and months and for years to come.”

Mayor Pro Tem Daisy Palomo read her own emotional tribute, as the mom of a deployed active-duty Marine.

“I offer my sincere prayers and respect and heartfelt sympathy to her mom and all her family,” Palomo said.

“Don’t forget her,” added John Norsworthy. “That was the one thing her mom said. She didn’t want anybody to forget her.”

What is a dignified transfer?

According to the Air Force, a dignified transfer is the process in which “the remains of fallen military members are transferred from the aircraft to an awaiting vehicle,” where the remains will be transported to the mortuary facility, located at Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover AFB, for positive identification by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.

The Air Force notes that a dignified transfer is not considered a ceremony, but is instead a “a solemn movement of the transfer case by a carry team composed of military personnel from the fallen member’s respective service.” The dignified transfer is conducted for all U.S. military members who die in a theater of operation and a senior ranking officer of the fallen presides over the transfer.