The Pentagon on Tuesday officially identified four American soldiers killed during Operation Epic Fury, the escalating U.S. military campaign against Iran. The fatalities mark the first U.S. service member deaths in the ongoing conflict after Iranian retaliation to the joint U.S.–Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei late last month.
The Department of War released the names of the fallen Army Reserve soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa. They 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.
CENTCOM initially reported three U.S. service members killed and multiple others wounded during the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury, with more fatalities rising to six as the conflict intensified. Four names have been made public so far, while two additional casualties are pending formal identification.
The soldiers were reportedly killed during an Iranian drone attack on a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The structure they were inside lacked full overhead protective measures, according to military reports.
This confirmation comes amid a broader escalation with Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. and allied positions across the Middle East. President Trump acknowledged the likelihood of more American casualties as the campaign continues.
The loss of these service members underscores the real human costs of the widening conflict and the dangers faced by American troops deployed in support roles far from home. Military and Pentagon officials continue investigations into the circumstances of the attack while reaffirming commitments to defend U.S. forces in the region.
