A Second Iowa Soldier Identified Among 6 Killed in Kuwait

UPDATE 3-5-26

The Pentagon has released the names of the remaining two soldiers killed by an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait, and they include another soldier from Iowa.

KCCI reports that military officials on Wednesday released the names of 45-year-old Maj. Jeffery R. O'Brien of Waukee, Iowa, and  54-year-old Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan of Sacramento, California. Four other soldiers, all with the 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines, were identified on Wednesday.

The six soldiers died Sunday after an Iranian drone strike at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, according to KCCI.

ORIGINAL STORY

The Pentagon has released the names of four U.S. service members who were killed over the weekend in a drone strike in Kuwait. One of them is from West Des Moines, Iowa.

Soldiers Killed During an Attack on a Base in Kuwait

KCCI reports that the four Army Reserve soldiers were killed on Sunday when an Iranian drone hit a command center in Kuwait. That was just one day after the U.S. and Israel had launched their military campaign against Iran. Two other soldiers killed in the attack have yet to be identified. All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines.

The Department of War has identified the soldiers as:

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

KCCI reports that Declan Coady was a 2023 graduate of West Des Moines Valley who enlisted in the Army Reserve that same year. He was a sophomore at Drake University. According to KCCI, Coady was trained as an information technology specialist with the Army Reserves and was studying cybersecurity at Drake. His father, Andrew Coady, told KCCI that his son was "very good at what he did."

KCCI reports that Coady has been posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

We honor and remember Sgt Coady and all who have served. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.