Youngest U.S. Soldier Killed In Iranian Strike Remembered For Heroic Life Of Service
on Mar 16, 2026
Six U.S. soldiers were killed on March 1, after an Iranian drone strike hit a U.S. military facility at Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait. The attack targeted an area used by American forces stationed in the region.
According to U.S. officials, several explosive drones struck the base, causing significant damage and killing six service members. The attack marked one of the deadliest incidents involving American troops since tensions between the United States and Iran escalated earlier this year.
Identities Of The Service Members Released
The identities of the service members were released after their families were notified. All six of the soldiers who died in “Operation Epic Fury” were killed in the same “unmanned aircraft system attack.”
The Pentagon identified the victims 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;
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa;
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento; and
- Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa.
U.S. leaders expressed condolences to the families of the fallen service members and praised their service and sacrifice.
“This is a tragic loss for our armed forces and for the nation,” officials said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and fellow service members of those who lost their lives.”
Remembering Sgt. Declan Coady
The youngest victim in the attack, Sgt. Declan Coady, of Des Moines, Iowa, is being remembered for his extraordinary acts of service.
Before joining the military, the 20 year old was an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. For his Eagle Scout project, he organized volunteers to build 12 Adirondack chairs for the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, helping homeless youth in his community.
He later enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2023 and served as an information technology specialist while also studying at Drake University.
“He had a special place in his heart for kids, you know, understanding that there were kids out there that don’t have the opportunities that he does,” his former scout master, Paul O’Connell, told The New York Post. “He was doing everything he could to help.”
Coady was posthumously promoted to sergeant, and tributes poured in from military leaders and his hometown community.
A GoFundMe has been created on behalf of Coady’s family and has raised more than $131,000. That GoFundMe can be found here.
“Declan was more than a soldier — he was a son, a family member, a friend, and a light in the lives of those who knew him,” the GoFundMe reads. “He served his country with honor, courage, and dedication, embodying the very best of what it means to wear the uniform.”
