The Pentagon released on Wednesday the last two names of U.S. Army Reserve members killed in Kuwait while supporting “Operation Epic Fury.” The Trump administration had earlier released the names of four other soldiers who died following the Iranian drone strike, the only American deaths so far attributed to the war with Iran.
The two service members were identified as Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif., and Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa.
An unmanned drone attacked a “tactical operations center” in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait on March 1, killing six U.S. soldiers who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa.
“To our Gold Star families, to our wounded warriors and their loved ones, we will never forget your sacrifice,” Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Dan Caine said during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
The Pentagon previously identified four of the deceased service members as Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa.
Marzan was identified by the Pentagon as having been “at the scene of the incident,” and the Pentagon said that the service member is “believed to be the individual who perished at the scene.” The identification will be performed by a medical examiner.
“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 Wednesday. “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.”
The Pentagon said the incident is still being investigated.
Tim Collins is a platforms producer and editor at MS NOW.