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Pentagon Reveals Identities of First U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iran War

The Pentagon has released the identities of four U.S. Army Reserve soldiers who were killed during the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. The soldiers were among six American service members who died after an Iranian drone strike targeted a tactical operations center in Kuwait.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the attack occurred Sunday in the port area of Shuaiba, when an unmanned aerial system struck the military facility.

The fallen soldiers were identified as:

• Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, from Winter Haven, Florida

• Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, from Bellevue, Nebraska

• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota

• Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, from West Des Moines, Iowa

All four were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, headquartered in Des Moines.

Military Leaders Pay Tribute

Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, honored the fallen troops in a statement released Tuesday.

“We honor our fallen heroes who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation,” Harter said. “Their sacrifice — and the sacrifices of their families — will never be forgotten.”

Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commander of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command, also expressed condolences to the soldiers’ families and fellow service members.

“Our nation is kept safe by brave men and women like these soldiers who put everything on the line every day,” Erskine said. “They represent the heart and spirit of America.”

Service Histories of the Fallen Soldiers

The Pentagon also provided details about the military service of the fallen soldiers.

Capt. Cody Khork enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 before becoming a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. During his career, he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay in 2021, and Poland in 2024.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor joined the National Guard in 2005 before transferring to the Army Reserve a year later. She previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.

Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 and served two deployments in Kuwait, in 2009 and 2019.

Sgt. Declan Coady, the youngest among the victims, enlisted in 2023 and was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant following his death.

The Pentagon said the names of two additional service members killed in the strike are being withheld until their families are formally notified.

Investigation and Casualties

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the attack occurred when an incoming munition struck a tactical operations center in Kuwait. The Pentagon confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Initially, U.S. Central Command reported three deaths, later confirming that another service member died from injuries. The remains of two previously missing troops were also recovered from the damaged facility.

As of Tuesday morning, 10 service members remain seriously wounded, down from 18 earlier in the week as some have begun recovering.

Families Remember Their Loved Ones

In a statement, the family of Capt. Cody Khork described him as someone who brought joy to everyone around him.

“Cody was truly the life of the party, known for his generous heart and infectious spirit,” his family said. “He was deeply patriotic and proud to serve something greater than himself.”

They added that his legacy would live on through the lives he touched and the example he set.

Conflict Escalates

The deaths come amid a rapidly escalating conflict following a joint U.S.–Israeli military operation against Iran, which included strikes in Tehran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior Iranian commanders.

Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and U.S.-aligned forces across the Middle East.

President Donald Trump offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers in a video address Sunday evening, while warning that the conflict may bring further casualties.

“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our deepest gratitude to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Trump said.

The U.S. military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, is expected to continue for several weeks as Washington pursues its strategic objectives against Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.