Dignified Transfer Held for Six Soldiers Killed in Iran Drone Strike
A dignified transfer ceremony was held Saturday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, honoring six U.S. Army soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait. The ceremony was attended by President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Details of the Attack and Fallen Soldiers
The six service members died on Sunday, March 1, during an attack by an unmanned aircraft system in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait [CBS News]. All were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides logistical support to the military.
The fallen soldiers have been identified as:
- Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
- Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California (identity confirmed after transfer to Dover)
President Trump’s Response
President Trump, addressing Latin American leaders in Miami prior to the transfer, described the soldiers’ deaths as a “very sad situation,” stating they were “coming home in a different manner than they thought they’d be coming home.” He added, “But they’re great heroes in our country, and we’re going to keep it that way.” [CBS News]. He has previously described participating in dignified transfers as “the toughest thing I have to do” as president [CBS News].
Dignified Transfer Ceremony
The dignified transfer is a solemn military ritual honoring U.S. Service members killed in action. Col. Jamil Musa, Commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, and Col. Martha “Jeannie” Sasnett, Commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, greeted President Trump upon his arrival at Dover Air Force Base [CBS News].
Following the ceremony, President Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago.