Iowa Lowers Flags to Honor Fallen Soldiers

Two Iowa Army Reserve soldiers killed in Iranian drone strike in Kuwait

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags around the state to be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, March 5, to honor two Iowa soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. Major Jeffery O'Brien, 45, of Waukee, and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, were killed in action on March 1, 2026, while stationed at a logistics base in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.

Why it matters

The deaths of Major O'Brien and Sgt. Coady are a tragic loss for Iowa and the U.S. military. Their sacrifice highlights the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the Middle East, and the risks faced by American service members stationed abroad. The governor's order to lower flags is a solemn gesture to honor their service and memory.

The details

O'Brien and Coady were part of a Des Moines-based Army Reserve unit stationed in Kuwait, where they worked on a logistics base supplying troops. They were killed in an Iranian drone strike, part of an ongoing conflict that has also claimed hundreds of Iranian lives since President Trump ordered an attack on Iran in late February. O'Brien was a Signal Corps officer who had been promoted to major in 2024, while Coady was a sophomore at Drake University who deployed to Kuwait in 2025 despite being eligible for an ROTC exemption.

  • On March 1, 2026, Major Jeffery O'Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady were killed in action in Kuwait.
  • On March 5, 2026, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered flags around the state to be lowered to half-staff to honor the fallen soldiers.

The players

Kim Reynolds

The governor of Iowa who ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the two fallen soldiers.

Major Jeffery O'Brien

A 45-year-old Army Reserve soldier from Waukee, Iowa, who was killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.

Sgt. Declan Coady

A 20-year-old Army Reserve soldier and sophomore at Drake University from West Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed in the same Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.

President Trump

The U.S. president who ordered an attack on Iran in late February, fueling the ongoing conflict that led to the deaths of O'Brien and Coady.

103rd Sustainment Command

The Des Moines-based Army Reserve unit that O'Brien and Coady were members of, stationed in Kuwait.

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What they’re saying

“Our hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O'Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace. On behalf of a grateful state, Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences for their families, and we ask all Iowans to stand united in support of our fallen soldiers and those who loved them.”

— Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa (Des Moines Register)

What’s next

Funeral arrangements for Major O'Brien and Sgt. Coady are still pending, and their bodies are in the process of being returned to Iowa. The governor's order will keep flags lowered until the day of internment for the soldiers.

The takeaway

The tragic deaths of Major O'Brien and Sgt. Coady serve as a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by Iowa's service members and the ongoing conflicts they face around the world. Their loss will be deeply felt by their families, their community, and all Iowans who honor their courage and dedication to protecting freedom.