Widow of soldier dad killed in Iraq delivers heartbreaking tribute after fatal drone mission

Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton's widow knew her life had changed everlastingly nan infinitesimal she saw 2 uniformed work members opinionated extracurricular her beforehand door.

"My tummy dropped," Mia Gonzalez-Swinton recalled Monday connected "Fox & Friends First."

"I retrieve emotion sick almost... I felt for illustration I was watching myself."

US SERVICE MEMBER KILLED IN IRAQ AS TROOPS RECOVER UNIDENTIFIED REMAINS IN JORDAN: CENTCOM

President Donald Trump salutes arsenic members of a U.S. Army transportation squad move nan flag-draped transportation lawsuit holding nan remains of Army Staff Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton of Fayetteville, N.C., during a honorable transportation astatine Dover Air Force Base July 22 successful Dover, Del.; A photograph of Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Swinton, 30, was killed while conducting a controlled demolition of a downed Iranian drone successful Iraq, leaving down his woman and their 2 young children, ages 6 and 4.

Recounting nan moments aft learning of his death, Gonzalez-Swinton said nan nonaccomplishment still feels surreal arsenic she and their children statesman adjusting to life without him.

Asked really nan children were coping, Gonzalez-Swinton said her girl has started to understand that her begetter is gone, calling him her "angel," though she isn't judge really overmuch either kid afloat comprehends.

TRAVELERS UNITE IN POWERFUL MOMENT OF SILENCE AS FALLEN US SERVICE MEMBER RETURNS HOME

The Swinton family, including Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, left, Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, right, and their daughter, center, are pictured successful this photo. (Courtesy: Mia Gonzalez-Swinton)

Swinton's widow remembered him arsenic a devoted begetter and hubby who "loved his job," "loved this country," and cared profoundly astir everyone he met.

"Michael is an astonishing man," she said. "He cared astir anyone he crossed paths with. He loved his job. He loved this country."

Swinton, who will person nan Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and beryllium posthumously promoted to unit sergeant, had already received nan Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War connected Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.

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Gonzalez-Swinton said she hopes group retrieve not only her husband's subject service, but besides nan man he was distant from nan battlefield.

"I conscionable want everyone to retrieve him, not only his Army awards and records, but nan man he was," she said. "He loved his family, he cared for his friends, and I conscionable don't want anybody to hide him."

Fox News' Eric Mac contributed to this report.