‘Operation Epic Fury’ First US Casualties: President Trump Receives Bodies of Six Soldiers; Trump Responds
Delaware: America bid a tearful farewell to six American soldiers killed during ‘Operation Epic Fury’, a joint US-Israeli military operation involving Iran. US President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance attended the deeply solemn ‘Dignified Transfer’ ceremony held on Saturday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. First Lady Melania Trump and Second Lady Usha Vance, along with top military officials, were present to pay their national respects.
The First Casualties of the War
As part of ‘Operation Epic Fury’ that commenced on 28 February, the US and Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top leaders. In retaliation, these six soldiers lost their lives in an Iranian drone attack on a tactical operations centre at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait on 1 March. The Pentagon confirmed that the drone breached US air defence systems. This marks the first major loss of life America has faced in this war.
Farewell to Members of the 103rd Sustainment Command
All six heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice were members of an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa. They were responsible for logistics, fuel, and ammunition at the American base in Kuwait. The soldiers who laid down their lives for their country are:
Major Jeffrey R. O’Brien (45, Iowa)
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marsan (54, California)
Captain Cody A. Khork (35, Florida)
Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor (39, Minnesota)
Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens (42, Nebraska)
Sergeant Declan J. Cody (20, Iowa)
The personal stories of these soldiers double the grief of the American public. Twenty-year-old history buff Declan Cody joined the army while still at uni. Nicole Amor, a mother of two, was killed just weeks before she was due to return home after her deployment. Noah Tietjens, a mechanic, was an experienced soldier who had already completed two tours of duty in Kuwait.
Trump attends the dignified transfer of 6 fallen American killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait:
– Major Jeffrey O’Brien
– Capt. Cody Khork
– Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor
– Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan
– Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens
– Sgt. Declan Coady pic.twitter.com/HQqPsLQ9sX— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 7, 2026
“A Very Sad Day”: President Trump
Returning to Air Force One after the ceremony, President Trump told the media: “It is a very sad day. I am grateful to have been able to pay respects to those great people and their parents.” At the start of the war, Trump had stated that while there might be casualties, it would ultimately be a great thing for the world.
Trump met privately with the families of the fallen. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keane also attended the ceremony, sending a message of national unity.
Growing Concerns
This incident reveals the extent of the threat to the US military presence in the Gulf region. The drone attack proves that Iran’s retaliatory capabilities are stronger than anticipated. Iran has already come forward with accusations of war crimes. There are growing concerns among global nations that this conflict will heavily impact global oil prices and peace in the Middle East.
