A second Iowan was identified Wednesday as one of the six U.S. military members killed in an Iranian strike on a facility in Kuwait.
The U.S. Defense Department identified Major Jeffrey O’Brien, a 45-year-old from Waukee, as one of the six Army Reserve soldiers killed in the Iran strike of a tactical operations center in Kuwait’s Port of Shuaiba on March 1. On Tuesday, the department identified Sgt. Declan J. Coady, a 20-year-old from West Des Moines, as another one of the soldiers killed in the attack.
“Our hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sergeant Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement. “On behalf of a grateful state, Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences for their families, and we ask all Iowans to stand united in support of our fallen soldiers and those who loved them.”
All the soldiers at the Kuwait facility were assigned to the the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines. The other three soldiers identified are Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
According to a U.S. Army Reserves news release, O’Brien was commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer in 2012 in the Army Reserve, and deployed to Kuwait in 2019, and had received multiple awards and decorations. He was an employee at ProCircular in Coralville, nominating his employer for their support as he served in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Iowa politicians responded to the news of O’Brien’s death with condolences for the families of soldiers in the attack. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said he and his wife are “offering our prayers for Iowa’s grieving Gold Star Families” following the news of O’Brien and Coady’s deaths.
“It’s devastating to learn a second Iowan has lost his life in combat,” Grassley said. “Maj. O’Brien’s heroism will be remembered forever, along with his fellow fallen soldier and Iowan, Sgt. Declan Coady.”
State Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner also offered words of support to O’Brien’s loved ones in a statement.
“I am devastated by the news of yet another Iowan killed in action overseas,” Weiner said. “Every loss of life is a tragedy, but it’s made that much worse when it happens so far from home. My thoughts are with Jeffrey O’Brien’s loved ones as they grapple with his sacrifice – and with all the Iowans who continue to put themselves in harm’s way. Please, no more.”
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn said in a social media post he has spoken with leaders at the 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Fort Des Moines, and that all families of soldiers killed during the attack have been notified. He also said nine soldiers assigned to the unit were wounded in the strike, and that all have arrived at a U.S. base in Germany and are undergoing medical evaluation.
“Military doctors and medics are working around the clock, and families are receiving updates as more information becomes available,” Nunn wrote. “Please join me in praying for these families and in thanking the military medics and doctors providing life-saving care to our wounded.”
