Army Reservist, 20, Killed in Iranian Drone Strike in Kuwait

Declan Coady spent final hours reassuring family: 'I'm good'

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Fallen U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, was one of six soldiers killed in an Iranian drone attack at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait while supporting Operation Epic Fury. Coady, a Drake University student from Des Moines, Iowa, had been sending regular updates to his family to ease their fears before the attack.

Why it matters

The attack highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and the risks faced by American troops deployed in the region. Coady's death is a tragic reminder of the human toll of these conflicts.

The details

According to his father, Andrew Coady, Declan had been checking in with his family every 1-2 hours, reassuring them that 'everything's still good. I'm good.' However, after Declan spoke with his brother in Italy, the family lost contact and soon learned of his death. Declan had enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an IT specialist and was due to return home in May, but had agreed to extend his deployment by 9 months.

  • Declan Coady enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023.
  • Declan's unit deployed to Kuwait in September.
  • Declan was due to return home in May.
  • Declan agreed to extend his deployment by 9 months.
  • Declan was killed in the drone attack on March 6, 2026.

The players

Declan Coady

A 20-year-old U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. and Drake University student from Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait.

Andrew Coady

Declan Coady's father, who shared emotional memories of his son.

Keira Coady

Declan Coady's sister, who tearfully remembered her brother.

Department of War (DoW)

The government agency that identified Declan Coady as one of the six Army Reserve soldiers killed in the attack.

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What they’re saying

“Declan just was checking in with him, and the reason being is Declan is nine hours ahead of us. He was two hours ahead of his brother, so he called his brother. Declan had been sending us updates every one to two hours, like, 'hey, everything's still good. I'm good.' Which goes to show you, you know, he was thinking about us. Like, 'don't worry about me' and so forth.”

— Andrew Coady, Declan Coady's father

“I still don't fully think it's real. I didn't think it was real when they told us. I just remember all of our conversations about what he was gonna do when he came back. And so I'll just be sitting and thinking about it. It's just, it's really hard. … I didn't have the same call this weekend that my dad and like my brother did [with Declan]. I just really wish I got to tell him I love you one more time because he was just so amazing.”

— Keira Coady, Declan Coady's sister

“I can't help but think, just, he was my little brother, and he was probably really scared even if he didn't want people to know. I wish he could have known one more time that we all loved him because he was so amazing and kind. … He was just like the best little brother you could have.”

— Keira Coady, Declan Coady's sister

What’s next

The Department of War is investigating the drone attack and providing support to the families of the fallen soldiers.

The takeaway

Declan Coady's tragic death is a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by American service members and the ongoing risks they face, even in support roles, during times of conflict. His family's heartfelt memories highlight the profound human toll of these events.