INDIANAPOLIS -- A Navy SEAL killed in Iraq in an ISIS attack Tuesday morning attended Indiana University.
Charles Keating IV was advising Kurdish Peshmerga forces two or three miles behind the front lines before the attack was launched.
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We are all deeply saddened by the tragic loss of U.S. Navy SEAL & former IU student-athlete Charles Keating. https://t.co/IAxVhHG4sJ
— Indiana University (@IUBloomington) May 4, 2016
Governor Mike Pence has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff effective immediately in Monroe County until sunset on the day of Keating's funeral service.
NEW: @GovPenceIN releases statement on death of Navy SEAL and IU alum Charlie Keating IV @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/rUzsRUDgKp
— #IndyThisWeek (@IndyThisWeek) May 4, 2016
According to the IU Athletic Department, Charlie was a student and a track and field and cross country runner at IU from 2004 to 2006.
IU mourns passing of former student athlete and U.S. Navy SEAL Charles Keating. Story: https://t.co/PLzzFXPMSF pic.twitter.com/PMgLga8ni0
— IU Track & Field (@IUTrackXC) May 4, 2016
Stephen Haas was a teammate of Keating's:
"I'm sure you are going to hear a lot about what a bad ass Navy SEAL Charlie was, and I'm sure he was the baddest. I think me and my teammates at IU will always remember him for being the most likable guy in the room with the biggest smile. Charlie was such a nice guy and everyone loved being around him. He was such a goof with no worries in the world. I don't think I ever saw him upset. He loved having a good time and his attitude was contagious. I've been in touch with most of my teammates at IU and some of Charlie's best friends. Everyone is devastated. He was really loved and will be greatly missed. I know we all feel so lucky to have spent so much time with him while in such a great time of our lives at IU."
Keating was a member of the 2004-05 track team that finished as Big Ten runner-up in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
"When Charlie left IU to enlist and try to become a SEAL, I don't think it surprised any of us. You could tell he was a guy who wanted to be the best and find out what he was made of, and serving as special operations forces for his country embodied that," said Robert Chapman, professor of kinesiology at IU Bloomington, who served as IU's men's cross country coach from 1998 until 2007.
Keating was the son of former swimming great and IU alumnus Charles H. Keating III, who was a three-time All-American for the Hoosiers in the breaststroke and a four-time Big Ten Champion.
Keating III finished fifth in the breaststroke at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
"Charlie Keating was a valuable member of the Indiana Athletics community. His father was a decorated All-American and Olympian for the Hoosiers, and their family gave me one of my first coaching jobs in Phoenix. On behalf of the IU Swimming community, we express our deepest condolences," said Ray Looze, Indiana head swimming and diving coach.
Charlie Keating IV was also the grandson of Charles Keating Jr,, the late financier involved in the 1980s savings and loan scandal.
He had been engaged to be married in November.
