President Donald Trump will participate in a solemn ceremony this Saturday at Dover Air Force Base to pay tribute to six Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.
The dignified transfer will honor the service members who were killed on Sunday when an unmanned aircraft hit their command center located in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. This deadly attack took place just one day after the United States and Israel launched their joint military operations against Iran.
Following the initial strike, Iran retaliated by firing missiles and deploying drones targeting Israel and multiple Gulf Arab nations where American military personnel are stationed.
The fallen soldiers served in a logistics unit tasked with providing troops essential supplies including food and equipment. Among the casualties, two service members hailed from Iowa.
Military officials have released the identities of those who perished: Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, from West Des Moines, Iowa; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, from Winter Haven, Florida; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, from Sacramento, California; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, from Indianola, Iowa; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, from Bellevue, Nebraska.
Receiving the remains of fallen American troops represents one of the most sacred responsibilities carried out by a commander-in-chief.
Accompanying President Trump at Saturday’s ceremony will be First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance. Additional attendees include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Republican Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa has previously announced his plans to participate in the ceremony.
“This Saturday, I will attend the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base to honor the brave Americans who were killed in action and stand with their families during this solemn moment,” Nunn said in a statement Thursday.
