The Pentagon has identified the final two U.S. Service members killed in a drone attack in Kuwait on Sunday, bringing the total American fatalities to six. The fallen soldiers, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, and Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa, were serving with the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) during the U.S. Campaign alongside Israel against Iran. This latest announcement follows a period of escalating tensions in the region, marked by retaliatory strikes and heightened military activity.
The attack occurred at Port Shuaiba, a major industrial port in Kuwait, just a day after the commencement of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones against targets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and several Gulf countries hosting U.S. Forces, according to reports. The increasing casualties underscore the growing risks associated with the conflict and the potential for further escalation. The identification of these soldiers provides a somber reminder of the human cost of the ongoing military actions.
According to the Pentagon, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marzan was in the command center when the drone struck the facility and is presumed deceased, pending official confirmation from a medical examiner. Maj. O’Brien’s official address is listed as Waukee, Iowa, though he resided in nearby Indianola, both suburbs of Des Moines. The 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) plays a critical role in providing logistical support to deployed forces, including food, fuel, water, ammunition, and transportation.
Previously, the Pentagon had named four other soldiers who died in the attack: 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. All six soldiers died on March 1, 2026, during the drone strike, as reported by Stars and Stripes.
Remembering the Fallen
Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, promoted in August 2024, had served nearly 15 years in the Army Reserve as an information systems and defensive cyber operations specialist. Outside of his military service, he worked as a manager at a cybersecurity company in Iowa and possessed two decades of experience in the technology sector.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan’s death is still awaiting formal confirmation from a medical examiner, but he was stationed in the command center at the time of the attack. Details regarding his military career and personal life were not immediately available from the Army Reserve.
Sgt. Declan Coady, the youngest of the six soldiers at 20 years vintage, was an Eagle Scout and a cybersecurity student at Drake University, aspiring to become an officer. His father, Andrew Coady, recalled that his son had been recommended for promotion to sergeant, a rank he received posthumously.
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, a mother of two, enjoyed gardening and making salsa with her son. Her husband, Joey Amor, shared that she was just days away from returning home when the attack occurred, having recently been moved to a less protected container-type building due to concerns about potential attacks.
Capt. Cody Khork was described by family as a happy and generous individual with a degree in political science. Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens came from a military family and was a martial arts expert, holding a black belt in Philippine Combatives, and Taekwondo.
Political Response and Repatriation
President Donald Trump expressed his condolences for the loss of the soldiers and warned that further casualties are likely, stating, “there are likely to be more before it’s over. That’s just the way It’s.” Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds also offered her condolences to the families of Maj. O’Brien and Sgt. Coady, calling their sacrifice “the ultimate sacrifice to ensure freedom and peace.”
The president is scheduled to participate in the official repatriation ceremony for the fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to press secretary Caroline Leavitt. The Pentagon is currently finalizing the date for the tribute.
Looking Ahead
The deaths of these six soldiers highlight the increasing dangers facing U.S. Forces in the Middle East as the conflict with Iran continues. The situation remains fluid, and further escalation is possible. The Pentagon is expected to provide updates on the ongoing military operations and the security situation in the region as developments unfold.
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