Commendation Medal, the Sea Service Ribbon, and three Presidential Unit Citations. Death Owens died of wounds as a result of the Yakla raid, a U.S.-led Special Operations Forces attack in Al Bayda province in central Yemen, a terrorism-related mission during the Yemeni Civil War, on January 29, 2017. The need for the raid, which was planned by the Obama administration and took place six days after Trump was sworn into office, was questioned by Ryan's father, Bill Owens. Owens is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Tributes and controversy On hearing of his death, Rear Admiral Timothy Szymanski, Commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, called Owens "an exceptional SEAL—an experienced warrior and a highly respected teammate who served silently, nobly and bravely through several combat deployments." He went on to express that "Ryan's legacy strengthens our own resolve and commitment to this crucial fight. We hope his family can find comfort in the love and support of Family, Friends and Teammates." President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump paid their respects on the arrival of Owens' remains at Dover Air Force Base on February 1, 2017. President Trump said, "My deepest thoughts and humblest prayers are with the family of this fallen service member." On February 27, 2017, in an interview with Fox News, President Trump said: "This was a mission that was started before I got here. This was something that was, you know, just they wanted to do. They came to see me. They explained what they wanted to do, the generals, who are very respected. My generals are the most respected that we've had in many decades I believe. And they lost Ryan." President Trump paid tribute to Owens during his address to a joint session of Congress on February 28, 2017, saying, "Ryan's legacy is etched into eternity." Owens' father, William Owens, a military veteran, refused to meet with President Trump and asked for an investigation into his son's death. He stated: "I didn't want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn't let me talk to him [Trump]." He also criticized Trump for refusing to order an investigation, saying: "Don't hide behind my son's death to prevent an investigation." Owens had become friends with San Francisco Giants pitcher Javier Lopez and other Giants players during a spring training visit. Owens' family collectively threw out the first pitch before the Giants' 2017 home opener.