Iowa Governor Mourns Soldiers Killed in Iran Conflict

Reynolds laments loss of four Iowa troops, including two killed in Kuwait drone strike

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds expressed grief over the deaths of four soldiers from her state since December, including two who were killed in a retaliatory drone strike in Kuwait during the early stages of the war with Iran. Reynolds said she believes the U.S. mission against Iran was the right thing to do, despite the sacrifice of Iowa troops.

Why it matters

The deaths of Iowa soldiers in the conflict with Iran highlight the human toll of the military action and the difficult decisions facing political leaders who must weigh national security priorities against the loss of life from their state.

The details

The Iowa soldiers killed include Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, 45, of Indianola, and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, who were among six Army Reservists who died in the Kuwait drone strike. Two other Iowa National Guard members, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, were killed in Syria in December. The governor spoke with the families of the fallen soldiers and said they are 'heartbroken'.

  • In December, two Iowa National Guard members were killed in Syria.
  • Last weekend, two Iowa Army Reservists were killed in a drone strike in Kuwait during the early stages of the war with Iran.

The players

Kim Reynolds

The Republican governor of Iowa who expressed grief over the loss of Iowa soldiers in the conflict with Iran.

Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien

A 45-year-old Iowa Army Reservist killed in the drone strike in Kuwait.

Sgt. Declan Coady

A 20-year-old Iowa Army Reservist killed in the drone strike in Kuwait.

Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar

A 25-year-old Iowa National Guard member killed in Syria in December.

Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard

A 29-year-old Iowa National Guard member killed in Syria in December.

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What they’re saying

“As you can imagine, they're heartbroken and as Iowans, we grieve with them.”

— Kim Reynolds, Iowa Governor (wral.com)

“For me, he was my greatest mentor in life. I mean, I'm the father I am today — I'm the man I am today — because of him.”

— Lucas Schafroth, Friend of fallen soldier Robert Marzan (wral.com)

What’s next

The governor said some injured soldiers have been safely transported to Germany for treatment, and the military has identified the other two soldiers killed in Kuwait as Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota and Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.

The takeaway

The deaths of Iowa soldiers in the conflict with Iran underscore the difficult human toll of military action, even when political leaders believe the mission is necessary. The governor's grief and the personal reflections of those who knew the fallen troops highlight the sacrifices made by service members and their families.