Pentagon identifies first US soldiers killed in Iran war

Four Army Reserve soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Iowa were the first casualties of the conflict.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

The U.S. military has identified the first four American soldiers killed in the war against Iran. The soldiers were members of the U.S. Army Reserve's 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Why it matters

This marks a tragic milestone in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has escalated in recent years. The deaths of these four service members will likely have a significant impact on their local communities and raise further questions about the U.S. involvement in the region.

The details

The four soldiers killed were Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. They were all members of the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines.

  • The U.S. military identified the soldiers on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The players

103rd Sustainment Command

A U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Capt. Cody A. Khork

A 35-year-old soldier from Winter Haven, Florida who was killed in the war against Iran.

Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens

A 42-year-old soldier from Bellevue, Nebraska who was killed in the war against Iran.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor

A 39-year-old soldier from White Bear Lake, Minnesota who was killed in the war against Iran.

Sgt. Declan J. Coady

A 20-year-old soldier from West Des Moines, Iowa who was killed in the war against Iran.

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The takeaway

The deaths of these four U.S. Army Reserve soldiers mark a tragic escalation of the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Their loss will be deeply felt by their local communities, and raises further questions about the U.S. involvement in the region and the human toll of the war.