Just days before a deadly drone strike in the Middle East, 20-year-old Declan Coady shared encouraging news with his father about his military progress. On March 1, Coady was among six U.S. service members killed in an attack during a military operation known as Operation Epic Fury. The U.S. Department of Defense has publicly identified four of the fallen: Cody Khork, 35, of Florida; Noah Tietjens, 42, of Nebraska; Nicole Amor, 39, of Minnesota; and Coady, 20, of Iowa.
All four served in the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, where their duties focused on logistics and operational support. Military leaders honored their service following confirmation of their deaths. Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, chief of the Army Reserve, and Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command recognized the dedication of the service members and expressed condolences to their families.
President Donald Trump also addressed the attack in media remarks, acknowledging the loss of life and discussing the broader regional conflict. He expressed sympathy for the families and commented on the ongoing military situation. Officials have indicated that tensions in the region remain high, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Coady, a West Des Moines native, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2023 as an information technology specialist. According to family members, he was pursuing online studies at Drake University while deployed and had recently been recommended for promotion. He was posthumously promoted to sergeant. His family described him as dedicated to both his military service and his long-term goal of becoming a commissioned officer. Community members have organized support efforts for the families affected by the tragedy.