The families of U.S. service members killed in President Trump’s war against Iran are speaking publicly with tributes to their loved ones as criticism mounts over remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. His comments came as relatives began sharing details about the soldiers they lost.
As reported by The Daily Beast, Hegseth said coverage of the deaths was being used to make Trump “look bad.” He referred to the deaths as “tragic things” while criticizing the fact that they were receiving front page attention.
The contrast between the families’ public grief and the administration’s response has drawn attention as the conflict continues. Several relatives have shared personal statements describing the soldiers’ lives, their final plans, and the shock of losing them.
The families are describing the soldiers behind the headlines
Among those killed was Sgt. Declan Coady of Iowa, who was 20 years old and two months away from his 21st birthday. His sister, Kiera, said it was painful to think that people who did not know him would remember him only as someone who died in combat, amid Hegseth’s protest warning.
Kiera also said his death still did not feel real to the family. She described the night they learned he had been killed as one of the worst nights of their lives and said they had often talked about what he would do when he came home.
Another of the six killed was Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor of Minnesota. Her husband, Joey Amor, said she was only days away from returning home to him and their two children.
Relatives of Capt. Cody Khork of Florida also released a statement after his death. They described him as the life of the party and remembered him for his spirit, generosity, and care for the people around him.
The families of Sgt. First Class Noah Tietjens, Major Jeffrey O’Brien, and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan have asked for privacy. Their names were also included among the six service members killed in the attack.
The soldiers were killed on March 1, 2026, during a drone attack at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait. They were from Iowa, Minnesota, Florida, Nebraska, and California, as scrutiny also grew after an Iran child casualty probe.
Officials in Nebraska, California, and Iowa have ordered flags to be flown at half staff in their honor. Trump has not issued a similar order.
Trump has acknowledged that more American troops could be killed as the conflict continues. He said of the expected casualties, “That’s the way it is.”
The administration has offered different explanations for the war and different estimates for how long it could last. U.S. citizens in the Middle East have also been advised to leave, though commercial flights remain grounded because of ongoing military operations.
Published: Mar 6, 2026 11:45 am