A Gold Star father has refuted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s assertion that grieving families urged him to complete the mission in Iran.
Simmons Rejects Hegseth’s Account
Charles Simmons, father of 28-year-old Master Sergeant Tyler Simmons, one of six crew members killed in a refueling plane crash in Iraq last week, denies ever telling Hegseth to “not stop until the job is done.”
“No, I didn’t say anything along those lines,” Simmons stated during an interview, recalling his meeting with Hegseth at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. “I can’t speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about.”
Hegseth’s Press Conference Remarks
Hegseth opened a press conference Thursday by honoring the fallen service members amid the conflict, now in its third week. “What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family,” he said. “They said, ‘finish this.’ Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done.”
Pentagon’s Official Response
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell issued a statement emphasizing Hegseth’s respect for Gold Star families. “Secretary Hegseth has the utmost respect for our Gold Star families and has pledged to honor the sacrifice of their loved ones,” Parnell said. “While at Dover, the Secretary spoke with each family of our fallen heroes and the details of each individual conversation remain private.”
Details of Simmons’ Encounters
The 60-year-old from Columbus, Ohio, described warm interactions with both Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Conversations focused on his son’s distinguished service record.
Simmons expressed reservations about the conflict, which has claimed at least 13 American lives. “I have questions about the conflict and cannot draw definitive conclusions when I don’t have all the data,” he noted. He told Hegseth, “I understand there’s a lot of peril that goes into making decisions like this, and I just certainly hope the decisions being made are necessary.”
Similar Claims from Trump
Hegseth’s remarks echo statements from Trump after the first dignified transfer ceremony on March 7. Trump claimed that “every single one” of the families told him, “Finish the job, sir. Please, finish the job.”
A public official present at the event reported overhearing the exchanges but did not hear any family member tell Trump to “finish the job” in Iran.
Trump faced online criticism, including from former RNC chair Michael Steele, for wearing a white “USA” baseball cap during the solemn occasion, part of his branded merchandise line.
