Names Of 4 “Fallen Heroes” Released As U.S. Death Toll In Iran Conflict Increases To 6
on Mar 04, 2026
Since The Conflict In Iran Began, 6 U.S. Service Members Have Been Killed
“America is winning, decisively, devastatingly, and without mercy,” declared Sec. of War Pete Hegseth during a news conference on Wednesday, March 4, touting successes as the conflict with Iran enters its fifth day.
Since the United States’ military operation against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began on Feb. 28, Iran has seen significant losses.
The longstanding Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint airstrike conducted by the United States and Israel on Feb. 28. In addition to the Ayatollah, over 40 Iranian officials are believed to have been killed in the conflict so far.
Further, Sec. of War Hegseth stated that the skies over Iran will soon be “uncontested,” and he also announced that the United States had successfully torpedoed an Iranian warship, calling it a “quiet death” before adding that it was “the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II.”
https://t.co/PiqQpVIrMu pic.twitter.com/Wc1e0B0um7
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) March 4, 2026
Wrapping up his comments, Sec. of War Hegseth stated, “America fights to win, and, in Operation Epic Fury, we are.”
However, in that same news conference, the cost of winning was also shared.
Addressing the press, Air Force Gen. Dan “Raizin” Caine said, “It’s with profound sadness and gratitude that I share the names of four of our six fallen heroes.”
Identities Of 4 American Troops Killed In Action Released
As the families of two of the soldiers are still being notified of their death, the identities of only the first four soldiers killed in the conflict were disclosed, and are as follows:
- 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; and
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.
Gen. Caine noted that all six of the soldiers killed were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa.
As of Wednesday, March 4, all six of the soldiers who have died in Operation Epic Fury were killed in the same “unmanned aircraft system attack” on March 1 while stationed at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The bodies of the two soldiers who have not yet been identified were recovered after the initial four were reported.
Operation Epic Fury began on Feb. 28, with President Donald Trump announcing that the United States had begun undertaking “major combat operations in Iran” with the objective being “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
Noting that “Iran is the No. 1 state sponsor of terror” and that it “can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump argued that this military action was being conducted after decades of conflict following the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
“I do not make this statement lightly, the Iranian regime seeks to kill,” Trump said. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties — that often happens in war — but we’re doing this, not for now, we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
Trump then declared:
“We pray for every service member as they selflessly risk their lives to ensure that Americans and their children will never be threatened by a nuclear-armed Iran. We ask God to protect all of our heroes in harm’s way, and we trust that, with His help, the men and women of the Armed Forces will prevail.”
During a March 2 news conference, Sec. of War Hegseth said, “As the president warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties. War is hell, and always will be. A grateful nation honors the four Americans we have lost thus far and those injured — the absolute best of America.”
Speaking on March 4, Gen. Caine said, “To our Gold Star families, to our wounded warriors, and their loved ones, we will never forget your sacrifice.”
RELATED: Trump Says U.S. Military Is “Undertaking A Massive And Ongoing Operation” In Iran
Sec. Of War Hegseth Issues Statement To The Troops
While delivering his remarks in a news conference on March 2, Sec. of War Pete Hegseth took a moment to address the United States Armed Forces regarding the conflict in Iran.
In the message, Sec. of War Hegseth encouraged the troops to “stay focused,” adding, “Our Commander in Chief is steady at the wheel.”
Further, he said:
“We face a determined enemy, but you are better, and you must prove it every single day. History doesn’t care if we’re tired, or scared, or if the fight feels big. It demands warriors who rise anyway. ‘Peace Through Strength,’ ‘The Warrior Ethos,’ ‘Lethality and Unity of Purpose’ — those are not slogans. They’re the beating heart of what it means to wear the uniform.”
Concluding his message, he said, “May Almighty God watch over you, and His providential arms of protection extend over you. Godspeed, warriors, and keep going.”
Watch Sec. of War Hegseth’s full statement to the troops, here:
RELATED: “Peace Through Strength” Touted By Trump As He Addresses U.S. Troops In Middle East
