Four of six U.S. service members killed in the Iran war died when a drone struck a port in Kuwait on Sunday, U.S. Army Reserve Command said Tuesday.
The U.S. government has said six U.S. service members have been killed in the military operation that started early Saturday with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones in nearby countries.
Four Army reservists died when a drone struck Port Shuabia, Kuwait, Army Reserve Command said.
They were identified Tuesday as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39; and Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20.
Capt. Cody A. Khork
Khork, 35, was from Winter Haven, Florida. He enlisted in the National Guard in 2009 and was commissioned as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014, the military said.
Khork's friend, Abbas Jaffer, posted photos of them together on Instagram.
"To my best friend, best man, and forever brother. I’m eternally grateful to have shared countless adventures, stories, and shenanigans with over the past 16 years," Jaffer said.
"You’re the kindest and best person I’ve ever known. There’s not enough words to describe how I feel," he added. "RIP my brother. Until we meet again."
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens
Tietjens, 42, was from Bellevue, Nebraska. Tietjens joined the Army Reserve as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in 2006.
Tietjens was a black belt in Martial Arts and was very dedicated to the craft, Julius Melegrito, one of the instructors at Martial Arts International in Bellevue told NBC News in an interview.
Melegrito said whenever Tietjens wasn't out on deployment, he was supporting his family's journey in Martial Arts and hanging out around the dojo.
Tietjens first joined in 2008 and the family are all black belts now.
Melegrito described Tietjens as confident, respectful and easy to get along with. He said when his wife met the late serviceman, she said: "this is the kind of guy who always makes you feel welcome."
Tietjens would man the door at Martial Arts International events because of his "strict but friendly" nature, Melegrito said, calling Tietjens "the kind of person that gives."
"He died giving for his country," he said. Tietjens was "very well respected by others. He has that confidence, but he has that friendliness, as he deals with all different kinds of individuals."
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor
Amor, 39, was from White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Amor joined the National Guard in 2005 and transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006, Army Reserve Command said. She deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar posted on X about Amor's death, who she said "made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country."
"Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and all those in our armed forces," Klobuchar said.
Spc. Declan J. Coady
Coady, 20, was from West Des Moines, Iowa. Coady enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023, the command said.
