Pentagon officials have identified four U.S. soldiers killed in the war with Iran, the first known American casualties of the conflict that began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes, taking out Iran’s supreme leader.
The four troops are 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, according to the Pentagon.
“We honor our fallen Heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten,” Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.
All four were killed March 1 in an unmanned air attack on Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on the Persian Gulf. The soldiers served in a Des Moines Army Reserve unit. They are among six Americans killed in the attack and so far in the war.
In response to questions about the other two soldiers who were killed, Pentagon officials said they would share information about their identities “as soon as possible.”
“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. Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command said. “They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
Here’s what to know about the troops identified so far.
Coady, a 20-year-old from West Des Moines, Iowa, joined the Army Reserve most recently in 2023.
The Drake University sophomore was stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, Coady’s father Andrew and sister Keira told the Des Moines Register part of the USA TODAY Network.
According to the Coady family, the 20-year-old gave the family hourly updates and spoke last with his brother Aidan, 25, an Army corporal stationed in Italy.
Andrew Coady said the younger of the two boys told the other that he was OK, “But we had a feeling based off the limited timeframe, we feel shortly after he got off the phone with his brother, that this incident happened.”
Coady’s 22-year-old sister, who graduated from Drake University in 2025, said, “He was my younger brother… I’m just really sad that I didn’t get a chance to tell him I love him one more time.”
Coady’s family said they were notified of his death around 8 p.m. Sunday. His father, mother Katherine, sister and brother Rowan, were at home when they received the news.
According to the Pentagon, he was promoted posthumously from specialist to sergeant.
During his service he received an Army Service Ribbon, a National Defense Service Ribbon and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
Khork, 35, enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 as a fire direction specialist, according to the Pentagon. Troops in the position serve to direct the nation’s artillery.
In over 15 years in the military, Khork, who became a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014, deployed to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Poland.
In a tribute to Khork on social media, Abbas Jaffer wrote on March 2, “Yesterday, we lost the best human being that I’ve ever known. My best friend, best man, and brother gave his life defending our country overseas.”
Khork “had supported me and been there for me over 16 years of my life and been part of every major life event I’ve had. He has shaped me into the person I am today,” Jaffer said. “I’ve watched him support others and myself through the years when he had nothing to his name and never complained about it… That’s just the type of person he was.”
Khork, of Winter Haven, Florida, received numerous military awards, including a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a Korea Defense Service Medal and a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Pentagon officials said.
Amor, 39, joined the National Guard in 2005 as an automated logistics specialist overseeing troop supply chains, officials said. The White Bear Lake, Minnesota, resident transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006. Her service saw her deploy to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, paid tribute to Amor in a statement: “John and I join countless people across Minnesota in mourning Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and all those in our armed forces.”
She also received several decorations including an Army Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal.
Tietjens, 42, also previously deployed to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. The Bellevue, Nebraska, resident enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a mechanic. Among decorations, Tietjens received a Meritorious Service Medal, an Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and an Overseas Service Ribbon.
Long-time friend Jonn Coleman of Bellevue, Nebraska, said he first met Tietjens in 2015 when both were members of the Army’s 443rd Transportation Company based in Elkhorn, Nebraska. At the time, Tietjens was a motor sergeant.
Coleman ― who had recently re-enlisted after years as a civilian ― said he was having a hard time getting back in shape and advancing his rank. Often, soldiers who are struggling can find themselves the subject of hazing instead of coaching, he said.
Tietjens was different.
“He worked out with me. He trained me on sergeant-level stuff, doing reports and how to get through the army systems on the computer,” Coleman said in an interview with the Register. “He was instrumental, I could not have become a staff sergeant myself without him teaching me.”
Tietjens’ brother reached out to Coleman earlier in the week to tell him about the death of Tietjens, who Coleman said was married and had at least one child.
“It was kind of a moving thing for me… somebody I looked up to who was a mentor for me was actually (telling) his family that he also had a connection with me too,” Coleman said.
Contributing by Dinah Voyles Pulver of USA TODAY.