Tributes paid to six killed as US soldier who died in Iran war was due to return home to family days later

Loving tributes have been paid to those killed NewsWorldAmericasTributes paid to six killed as US soldier who died in Iran war was due to return home to family days laterLoving tributes have been paid to those killed Ap Correspondent Wednesday 04 March 2026 09:31 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoveropen image in galleryThis undated photo provided by Joey Amor shows Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, left, and Joey Amor smiling for a photo (AP)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreA drone strike at a command centre in Kuwait has claimed the life of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, just days before she was due to return home to her family. Her husband, Joey Amor, expressed his grief from their home in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, on Tuesday, stating: "She was almost home. You don't go to Kuwait thinking something's going to happen, and for her to be one of the first - it hurts."Sgt. Amor was among six U.S. service members killed in the attack, with the Pentagon identifying her as one of four U.S. soldiers who died in the ongoing conflict with Iran on Sunday. Two other soldiers remain publicly unidentified. These Army Reserve members were crucial to logistics, ensuring troops received vital food and equipment supplies.The fatal strike occurred merely a day after the U.S. and Israel initiated a military campaign against Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host American armed forces.Those killed also included Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, lowa, who was posthumously promoted from specialist. No other names were released."These men and women all bravely volunteered to defend our country, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten," Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said.open image in galleryThis photo provided by Andrew Coady shows his son, Declan Coady, posing for a photo on the day of his graduation at U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Sill, Okla., March 15, 2024. (Andrew Coady via AP) (AP)All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, which provides food, fuel, water and ammunition, transport equipment and supplies."Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That's the way it is," President Donald Trump said of deaths.One of the youngest in his classCoady had just told his father last week that he had been recommended for a promotion from specialist to sergeant, a rank he received posthumously.open image in galleryThis undated photo provided by Joey Amor shows Nicole Amor, left, and Joey Amor smiling for a photo (AP)He was one of the youngest people in his class but seemed to impress his instructors, his father Andrew Coady said Tuesday."He was very good at what he did," he said.Coady trained as an information technology specialist with the Army Reserves and was studying cybersecurity at Drake University in Des Moines. He was taking online classes while in Kuwait and wanted to become an officer."I still don't fully think it's real," his sister Keira Coady said. "I just remember all of our conversations about what he was going to do when he came back."A mother of two who loved gardeningAmor, 39, was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. She also enjoyed rollerblading and bicycling with her fourth-grade daughter.A week before the drone attack, Amor was moved off-base to a shipping container-style building that had no defenses, Joey Amor said."They were dispersing because they were in fear that the base they were on was going to get attacked and they felt it was safer in smaller groups in separate places," he said.open image in galleryAndrew Coady and his daughter Keira, right, talk about his son, Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, outside their home, Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in West Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)He last spoke to her about two hours b