Remembering the 18 US service members who have been killed since start of war in Iran
Since the start of the war in Iran, 18 U.S. service members have been killed. (The Pentagon)
The number of U.S. military service members killed in the war in Iran has risen to 18 following the deaths of four soldiers this month.
The timeline below details what is known about the instances surrounding their deaths and biographical information about each service member based on information provided by The Pentagon.
Seven U.S. Army soldiers killed in Kuwait
On March 1, seven U.S. Army soldiers were killed in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, during an unmanned aircraft system attack. The soldiers, Capt. Cody A. Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, Sgt. Declan J. Coady, Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa.
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, enlisted in the National Guard as a 92A (Automated Logistics Specialist) in 2005.
She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006 and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
Amor’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.
Sgt. Declan Coady
Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa, was posthumously promoted from specialist and enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as a 25B (Army Information Technology Specialist).
Coady’s awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.
Capt. Cody Khork
Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida. ( U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida, enlisted as a 13P (Multiple Launch Rocket System / Fire Direction Specialist) in the National Guard in 2009 and later commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014.
He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and Poland in 2024.
Khork’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and "M" Device, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Cal.(Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Robert Marzan, 54, of Spotsylvania, Va., enlisted in the active Army in 1990 in Sacramento, Calif., then transferred to the Army Reserve in 1994, becoming a Data Operations Warrant Officer in 2011. He deployed to Croatia and Bosnia in 1996 and Egypt and Kuwait from 2019-2020.
Marzan’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 Awards), NATO Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4 Awards), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (7 Awards), and the Multinational Force and Observers Medal.
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa. (Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
O'Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa, was commissioned into the Army Reserve as a Signal Corps Officer in 2012.
He deployed to Kuwait in 2019.
O’Brien’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington
U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo, died March 8, 2026, from injuries sustained during an enemy attack on March 1, 2026, at Prince Sultan Air Bas
Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 92Y, unit supply specialist, in 2017. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, USASMDC, on June 10, 2025.
Pennington’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens
Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic).
He had two deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019.
Tietjens’ awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal With "M" Device.
Six U.S. Air Force members killed March 12 in refueling plane crash
Six Air Force members were killed March 12 when their refueling plane crashed during an incident involving two aircraft in "friendly airspace." The other plane landed safely.
Capt. Curtis J. Angst
Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio (Department of Defense)
Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio, was a KC-135 Pilot assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, he was responsible for executing the Air Force’s primary mission of global reach by flying worldwide air refueling, aeromedical, cargo, and passenger operations.
Captain Angst was a combat-proven aviator, deployed in 2015 and 2026 in support of Operations SPARTAN SHIELD and EPIC FURY. Over his tenure he amassed 880 total flight hours, including 67 hours flown in combat missions.
Maj. John A. Klinner
Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala. (Department of Defense)
Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala., graduated from Auburn University in 2016 after earning a degree in mechanical engineering. In a statement mourning his death, Auburn wrote that "His commitment to serving our nation reflects the courage, character and sense of duty demonstrated by those who choose a life of service."
Capt. Seth R. Koval
Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind. (Department of Defense)
Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Ind., was a KC-135 Instructor Pilot assigned to the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, he was responsible for training and developing pilots for worldwide air refueling, aeromedical, cargo, and passenger missions in direct support of Air Mobility Command's global reach capabilities.
Captain Koval was a seasoned combat pilot who deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2026. He supported United States Air Forces in Europe, United States Central Command, and United States Pacific Command during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, SPARTAN SHIELD, and EPIC FURY, as well as a Theater Security Package. He logged over 2,076 total flight hours, including 443 combat hours.
Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Ky. (Department of Defense)
Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, joined the U.S. Air Force in 2017, logged nearly 900 flight hours, and was deployed four times.
She most recently served with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron from Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. She was an assistant flight chief of operations and was an instructor in operating the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker.
Capt. Ariana Savino
Captain Ariana G. Savino was the Chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama. (MacDill Air Force Base)
Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, was the Chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama.
Captain Savino deployed in 2020 and 2026 in support of United States Central Command Operations SPARTAN SHIELD, SENTINEL SENTRY, and EPIC FURY, flying 348 combat hours in both the E8-C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System as a Combat Systems Operator and the KC-135 Stratotanker as a Pilot.
Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons
Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, Columbus, Ohio (Department of Defense)
Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, was a KC-135 Boom Operator with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. He conducted worldwide air refueling missions, transferring fuel to receiver aircraft, along with aeromedical, cargo, and passenger operations in support of the Air Force’s global reach mission.
Sergeant Simmons deployed three times in support of United States Central Command, including Operations Freedom Sentinel, Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve, Deliberarte Resolve and Epic Fury respectively. Lastly, Sergeant Simmons logged 230 combat hours through these deployments.
U.S. Navy pilot Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards killed in helicopter crash
A U.S. Navy pilot, Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards was killed in July in a helicopter crash. The Navy initially described the July 1 crash of an MH-60S helicopter in the Arabia Sea as an emergency landing and said there was "no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action." The Navy declared Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as lost at sea. The three other sailors aboard the helicopter were rescued shortly after the mishap.
The Navy says Edwards, a native of Oakland, Oregon, graduated in 2006 from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, two children, and a large extended family.
The U.S. Navy identified Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards as the sailor lost at sea after an MH-60S helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea. (Courtesy Photo | Cmdr. Gabe Edwards Bio Photo)
Three U.S. Army soldiers killed in Jordan
The Pentagon says three U.S. Army soldiers were killed in action in an Iranian missile and drone attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan (U.S. Army)
1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command mourns the loss of 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, whose service and sacrifice will never be forgotten," Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty, USASMDC commanding general, said. "Losing him to enemy fire will inspire our Soldiers and strengthen their resolve to continue the mission."
USASMDC said Feehan will be posthumously promoted to captain.
Pvt. Isabella Gonzales
U.S. Army Pvt. Isabella Gonzales was killed
Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany. She served as an E14P Air and Missile Defense Crewmember.
Gonzales grew up in Carrollton, Texas and attended Hebron High School in Lewisville ISD. She was a part of Hebron's Jr. ROTC program, and enlisted in the United States Army shortly after she graduated in 2025.
Carrollton is planning to create a permanent memorial for Gonzales in the city.
Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad
Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan. The incident is under investigation. Rampersad was previously identified as miss
Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air & Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany. Sgt. Rampersad, was originally listed as missing after the July 17 attack and had likely died in the assault.
"Today, we mourn the loss of Sgt. Angel Rampersad. We extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to her family and all those who are navigating this unimaginable loss. The 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command is grieving, and we will continue to support one another as we process this tragedy," said Brig. Gen. Glenn Henke, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in a release.
Sgt. Rampersad enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 2019. Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton killed while detonating drone in Iraq
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed July 19 while working to detonate a downed One-Way Unmanned Aerial System at Erbil Air Base, Iraq on Sunday. The Pentagon says the incident is under investigation.
Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"USASMDC is saddened by the loss of Sgt. Swinton, whose death occurred during an operation to safeguard fellow soldiers. His service will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice is not in vain. We will support Sgt. Swinton's family and his unit during this difficult period. His loss will inspire his fellow soldiers to continue the mission," said Lt. Gen. John L. Rafferty, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command commanding general in a release.
Swinton’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge.
Swinton will receive the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge, and be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
The Source: This article includes information from The Associated Press, the U.S. Navy, and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Orlando.