Sacramento Soldier Presumed Dead in Iran Attack

Robert Marzan's death adds to California's growing list of Gold Star families.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, 54, is presumed to be among six Army Reserve members killed in a drone attack in Kuwait on March 1. Marzan, who was from the Sacramento area, was two months away from retirement after serving for three decades. His death adds to the long list of California Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

Why it matters

The presumed death of Robert Marzan highlights the ongoing sacrifices made by California's military families. The state has seen over 32,000 residents lose their lives in service since World War II, with each loss deeply felt by the local community.

The details

Marzan graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1989 and was remembered by a classmate as an integral part of their school community. The Pentagon announced that Marzan "is believed to be" the sixth soldier who "perished at the scene" in Kuwait, though a positive identification is still pending. Marzan's brother, Vic, said his sibling "was a lifetime serviceman" who "died for our country" and "loved his family and his country."

  • On March 1, 2026, Marzan was killed in a drone attack in Kuwait.
  • Marzan was two months away from retirement after 30 years of military service.

The players

Robert Marzan

A 54-year-old U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer from the Sacramento area who was presumed killed in a drone attack in Kuwait.

Vic Marzan

The brother of Robert Marzan, who described his sibling as a "lifetime serviceman" who "died for our country" and "loved his family and his country."

Mike Anderson

The creator of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Sacramento, which honors service members' lives that were lost and their families.

Mike Anderson Jr.

Anderson's son, a Marine Corporal who was killed in action 22 years ago in Fallujah, Iraq.

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What they’re saying

“My brother died for our country... Loved his family and his country.”

— Vic Marzan, Brother of Robert Marzan

“It's a terrible journey. It's life-changing.”

— Mike Anderson, Creator of Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

“If I can help one other person, one other family kind of get through this. We're walking this same dark valley together.”

— Mike Anderson, Creator of Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

“I look at it, the strength that my son had, and somehow I've got to capture that and keep moving forward. I got to keep carrying that torch.”

— Mike Anderson, Creator of Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

“We've been thrust into this group that none of us applied for.”

— Mike Anderson, Creator of Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

What’s next

A positive identification of Robert Marzan is still pending from a medical examiner.

The takeaway

The presumed death of Robert Marzan is a tragic reminder of the ongoing sacrifices made by California's military families. As the state's Gold Star families continue to grow, their shared grief and resilience serve as an inspiration to honor the service and memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.