The U.S. Army has posthumously awarded the Soldier’s Medal to 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr. for sacrificing his life while attempting to save a fellow soldier during a tragic incident off Morocco’s Atlantic coast earlier this year.
The June 29 announcement not only recognizes Key’s heroism but also provides the Army’s most detailed public account to date of the events that unfolded near the Cap Draa Training Area during Exercise African Lion 26 on May 2.
While the Army’s May 10 and May 13 press releases confirmed the recovery and identities of the two soldiers, those statements said only that “both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean” and did not explain the circumstances surrounding the incident. Monday’s announcement accompanying the Soldier’s Medal expands significantly on that account, detailing the rescue attempt and the actions that led to Key’s death.
According to the Army, Key, a platoon leader assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and members of his platoon were on an off-duty hike after daily operations had concluded for African Lion 26.
At approximately 8:15 p.m. local time, Spc. Mariyah Symone Collington, 19, of Tavares, Florida, reportedly lost her footing on slick rocks and fell approximately 10 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.
Without hesitation, Key immediately recognized the emergency and took charge of the rescue effort.
The Army said he began directing members of his platoon while coordinating an improvised rescue line in an effort to reach Collington. Despite the platoon’s efforts, the combination of steep cliffs and rough surf prevented the rescue line from reaching her.
As the situation deteriorated and Collington became unresponsive, the Army said Key shifted from attempting to assist her to attempting to recover her despite the danger to himself.
According to the Army, Key positioned himself to secure Collington when a large wave slammed into the cliff, striking him with its full force. Although he maintained his grip on the rescue line, a second rogue wave swept both Key and Collington into the Atlantic.
The incident immediately transformed African Lion 26 from a multinational training exercise into a massive search-and-rescue operation involving U.S. and Moroccan military forces.
After more than 10 days of searching thousands of square kilometers by air, sea and land, Moroccan military personnel recovered Key on May 9. Collington’s remains were recovered three days later.
“1st Lt. Key is the leader we all hope we are in the same situation,” said Col. Haileyesus Bairu, former commander of the 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade. “He sacrificed his life to take care of a Soldier in need. This is a sacrifice that leaves our brigade both heartbroken and humbled.”
Established in 1926, the Soldier’s Medal is the Army’s highest award for heroism outside of combat. It is awarded to soldiers who voluntarily risk their own lives to save others under circumstances not involving conflict with an enemy.
During a ceremony in Ansbach, Germany, attended by Key’s family, fellow soldiers, and members of his unit, the Army posthumously presented him with the Soldier’s Medal.
Lt. Col. Christopher Couch, commander of 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, said Key’s actions reflected the highest ideals of Army leadership.
“Key gave his life in service of his Soldier without hesitation. His selflessness is an enduring example of what it truly means to lead, by stepping first into danger to protect those under your care,” Couch said.
Brig. Gen. Curtis W. King, former commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, also praised the multinational effort to recover both soldiers.
“We are grateful beyond measure to the Kingdom of Morocco, to SETAF-AF, and to our joint teammates who relentlessly searched every hour and every day until they recovered 1st Lt. Key and Spc. Collington,” King said.
The Army’s expanded account follows weeks of public uncertainty surrounding the incident.
Initial Army press releases announced the recovery and identification of the soldiers but stated only that “both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” without identifying which soldier initially fell into the water or which soldier attempted the rescue.
After reviewing those releases alongside multiple national news reports that described unnamed soldiers or presented differing accounts of the incident, The Salty Soldier contacted U.S. Army Europe and Africa Public Affairs requesting clarification on the sequence of events.
In response, USAREUR-AF Public Affairs confirmed to The Salty Soldier that Collington initially fell into the Atlantic Ocean and that Key entered the water in an attempt to rescue her. That clarification was published in a follow-up report after conflicting media accounts and AI-generated summaries created confusion over the incident.
Monday’s Soldier’s Medal announcement builds upon that earlier clarification by providing the Army’s most comprehensive public account to date. For the first time, the Army disclosed additional details including that Collington slipped on slick rocks, Key immediately assumed command of the rescue effort, coordinated an improvised rescue line, and was ultimately swept into the ocean by a second rogue wave while attempting to reach her.
With the award of the Soldier’s Medal, the Army has now formally recognized Key’s final act of leadership and selfless service while providing the fullest official narrative yet of the tragedy that unfolded along Morocco’s Atlantic coastline.
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