Remains of Six Iowa Army Reservists Returned to U.S.

Somber ceremony held at Dover Air Force Base for soldiers killed in overseas deployment.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The remains of six soldiers from an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa were returned to the U.S. this weekend in a solemn military ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The group included two Iowans - a 20-year-old student at Drake University who was posthumously promoted to sergeant, and a 45-year-old major from Waukee who had been commissioned in 2012. The unit specializes in military logistics.

Why it matters

The repatriation of fallen soldiers is always a somber and significant event, highlighting the human cost of military operations overseas. This particular ceremony involved members of an Iowa-based Army Reserve unit, underscoring the impact on local communities when service members make the ultimate sacrifice.

The details

The six soldiers' remains were transported to the military mortuary at Dover Air Force Base. In attendance were President Trump, Vice President Vance, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, and Iowa's congressional delegation. Two of the soldiers were Iowans - 20-year-old Declan Coady, a Drake University student who was posthumously promoted to sergeant, and 45-year-old Major Jeffrey O'Brien of Waukee, who had been commissioned in the Army Reserve in 2012. Also among the fallen was 54-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan of Sacramento, California, who had lived in Iowa for several years.

  • The remains were returned to the U.S. this weekend.
  • The ceremony took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The players

Declan Coady

A 20-year-old student at Drake University who was posthumously promoted to sergeant.

Jeffrey O'Brien

A 45-year-old major from Waukee, Iowa who was commissioned in the Army Reserve in 2012.

Robert Marzan

A 54-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 3 from Sacramento, California who had lived in Iowa for several years.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States.

Mike Pence

The Vice President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The soldiers' relatives are 'great people' and it was 'a very sad day.'”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Radio Iowa)

What’s next

The Pentagon has not announced details of the soldiers' final flights to their home states.

The takeaway

This repatriation ceremony highlights the ongoing sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military, even in reserve units, and the impact on local communities when service members are killed in action.