The Pentagon has identified four U.S. service members who were killed in an Iranian unmanned aircraft system attack on March 1 while serving in Kuwait at the Port of Shuaiba.
The soldiers, who are all assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve sustainment unit out of Iowa, are Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa.
“It [is] with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge and recognize our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Our Soldiers relentlessly, consistently, and fearlessly served with sincere dedication and pride," Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, Deputy Commanding General, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operational Command Post, said in an Army Reserve release identifying the soldiers.
The identities of the two other soldiers who were killed in the attack on Sunday have yet to be made public. U.S. Central Command has said 18 service members have been seriously wounded during the war with Iran.
“Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is,” President Donald Trump said on Monday of the U.S. service members' deaths.
The Army said the incident is under investigation. Multiple reports indicate that the operations center that was hit by an Iranian drone was not as fortified as most U.S. bases. A source familiar with the situation described the center to CNN as a "triple-wide trailer with office space inside" and added the drone attack "came quickly and with no warning or sirens to alert troops to evacuate or get into a bunker."
The source added that the building did have concrete barriers surrounding it, which would be typical for overseas military structures to protect against attacks like car bombs, but did not feature anything that could shield it from drones or missiles.
Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, Commanding General, 79th Theater Sustainment Command, offered his "deepest sympathy and my respect" to the "families and teammates of these Cactus Nation Soldiers."
“Our nation is kept safe by folks like these—brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day," Maj. Gen. Erskine's statement read. "They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General U.S. Army Reserve Command, commended the soldiers for serving "fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation."
“Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” Harter's statement continued. “On behalf of the Army Reserve, we express our heartfelt condolences to their families and loved ones. We remain steadfast in our commitment to honoring the legacy of our fallen and supporting their teammates and families during this difficult time."
Capt. Khork first enlisted in the National Guard in 2009. He commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014 and had deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay in 2021, and Poland in 2024. He has received several awards and decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Amor enlisted in the National Guard in 2005 and transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal.
Sgt. 1st Class Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 and had two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
Sgt. Coady, posthumously promoted from specialist, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023. His awards and decoratons includ the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
On Monday, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. expected additional losses.
“We grieve with you, and we will never forget you,” Caine said of the family members of those killed at a press conference with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.