HAZEL CREST, Ill. (AP) — A U.S. soldier from the Chicago area was among three people killed in an attack on a military base in Kenya.

The family of Henry Mayfield Jr. of Hazel Crest confirmed his death to NBC affiliate WMAQ. The 23-year-old held the rank of Army Specialist.

Mayfield’s mother says she last spoke to her son on New Year’s Day. Mayfield joined the Army in 2018. Two other Americans, both contractors with the U.S. Department of Defense, were also killed Sunday by al-Shabab extremists at Manda Bay Airfield.