The Department of Defense has confirmed the identities of the six American service members who lost their lives in a tragic drone strike at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The soldiers, all members of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were supporting Operation Epic Fury when their tactical operations center was struck by an Iranian unmanned aerial system.
The loss of these six soldiers represents the first American fatalities since the commencement of U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran. In the days following the attack, the Pentagon conducted a methodical process to identify and notify the families of the fallen, releasing their names in two groups.
The Fallen Heroes
The service members identified by the Department of Defense are:
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Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa.
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Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California.
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Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.
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Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
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Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
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Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa (posthumously promoted from Specialist).
A Community in Mourning
As the names of the fallen were made public, tributes poured in from across the nation. Each soldier leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and sacrifice.
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Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan: Recognized for their leadership, their loss has prompted statements of condolence from state leadership in Iowa and California, with flags ordered to half-staff in their honor.
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Capt. Cody A. Khork: Remembered by family and peers as a deeply patriotic individual who took great pride in serving his country across multiple deployments.
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Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens: A legacy soldier who served alongside his father in previous deployments; his loss has been deeply felt by his family and the communities in which he served.
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Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor: An automated logistics specialist who was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children. Her family remembers her as a source of light and a pillar of support for those in need.
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Sgt. Declan J. Coady: A student at Drake University studying cybersecurity and an Eagle Scout, remembered by those who knew him as “kind, smart, and amazing.”
The Investigation and Ongoing Response
The strike on the tactical operations center, which also resulted in serious injuries to at least 18 other service members, is currently under intense investigation. Military officials have noted that the incident occurred in a high-threat environment where an Iranian munition successfully bypassed existing air defense measures and fortifications.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed the nation’s deepest condolences, stating, “Moments like that—as we remember them and we take care of them and take care of their families—only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we do this properly.”
The Department of Defense continues to work closely with the families of the deceased and the wounded, ensuring that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation are honored with the dignity they deserve.
Final Word
The deaths of these six brave service members are a painful reminder of the human cost of military engagement. When you look beyond the tactical details of the drone attack and focus on the individual stories of the lives lost, you gain a clearer picture of the sacrifice required by those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Quality information replaces the noise of speculative reporting with the clarity of official identification and respectful remembrance. It allows you to see these soldiers as individuals with families, passions, and dreams, rather than just statistics in a briefing. By choosing to honor their memory through verified accounts, you align your perspective with the reality of their service and support a more informed, empathetic, and resilient national community.
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