4 Pentagon Service Members killed in strike identified

Rashi Rawal

7 months ago

The Pentagon has identified four of the six U.S. service members killed in an Iranian drone attack on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.

The strike occurred amid escalating conflict following the launch of Operation Epic Fury—a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026, targeting Iranian missile sites, naval bases, and other strategic locations.The deceased, all assigned to the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were logistics personnel supporting sustainment operations. They are:

Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.

(Note: Some reports list Sgt. Coady as Spc. in earlier mentions, but official Pentagon identifications confirm Sgt.)The attack involved an unmanned aircraft system (drone) that struck a command center or operations area at the port, approximately 68 miles across the Persian Gulf from Iran. Initial U.S. reports indicated three deaths and five serious injuries, but the toll rose to six after additional remains were recovered from rubble and one wounded service member succumbed to injuries.

The identities of the remaining two fatalities have not yet been released.This incident marks the first confirmed U.S. combat deaths in the ongoing war with Iran, which intensified after U.S. and Israeli strikes—using stealth fighters, Tomahawk missiles, suicide drones, and low-cost one-way attack drones—resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded with retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. forces and allies in the region, including facilities in Kuwait.The Pentagon confirmed the deaths on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, stating the matter remains under investigation. No further details on the circumstances of the strike or potential additional casualties have been released as of the latest updates.This information draws from Pentagon announcements and multiple reports; the situation in the broader regional conflict continues to evolve rapidly.