{"id":6601,"date":"2026-03-05T10:08:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T10:08:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jubaglobal.com\/?p=6601"},"modified":"2026-03-05T10:08:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T10:08:14","slug":"u-s-military-confirms-identities-of-fifth-and-sixth-service-members-killed-in-iran-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/u-s-military-confirms-identities-of-fifth-and-sixth-service-members-killed-in-iran-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Military Confirms Identities of Fifth and Sixth Service Members Killed in Iran Conflict"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"810\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1977\/2026\/03\/IMG_3492.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1977\/2026\/03\/IMG_3492.jpeg 810w, https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1977\/2026\/03\/IMG_3492-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The United States military has confirmed the identities of the fifth and sixth American service members killed in the escalating conflict with Iran, as part of the early casualties in <strong>Operation Epic Fury<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Pentagon announcements released on March 4, 2026, the two fallen soldiers are <strong>Maj. Jeffrey R. O\u2019Brien<\/strong>, 45, from Waukee, Iowa (with some initial reports listing Indianola), and <strong>Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan<\/strong>, 54, from Sacramento, California. Both were Army Reserve personnel assigned to the <strong>103rd Sustainment Command<\/strong> based in Des Moines, Iowa\u2014a unit specializing in logistics, supply chain management, and sustainment support for deployed forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These identifications complete the naming of all six U.S. service members killed in a single Iranian drone attack on March 1, 2026, at <strong>Port Shuaiba<\/strong> in Kuwait. The strike targeted a tactical operations center described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a fortified but makeshift facility\u2014possibly a reinforced trailer or modular structure with limited overhead protection. An Iranian unmanned aircraft system (likely a kamikaze drone) penetrated air defenses and caused a direct hit, killing three immediately and leading to the recovery of additional remains over the following days. The attack occurred just days into Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led (with Israeli coordination) campaign launched on February 28, 2026, aimed at dismantling Iran\u2019s missile capabilities, naval assets, proxy networks, and nuclear-related infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The previously identified casualties from the same incident include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20 (posthumously promoted from Specialist), of West Des Moines, Iowa<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>All six were Army Reserve soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command, highlighting the critical role citizen-soldiers play in expeditionary operations far from home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Maj. Jeffrey R. O\u2019Brien: A Dedicated Signal Corps Officer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maj. O\u2019Brien, commissioned in the Army Reserve in 2012 as a Signal Corps officer, brought extensive experience to his role. He had previously deployed to Kuwait in 2019. His decorations included 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 Armed Forces Reserve Medal with \u201cM\u201d Device (for mobilization).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>His loss marked a heavy blow to Iowa, as he was the second Iowan killed in the attack after Sgt. Coady. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statement expressing profound sorrow: \u201cOur hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O\u2019Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace.\u201d U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Ashley Hinson echoed similar sentiments, calling for prayers for Gold Star families and emphasizing the state\u2019s shared grief. Community leaders described O\u2019Brien as a committed leader whose service exemplified quiet professionalism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan: A Lifetime of Service<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CWO3 Marzan, a veteran with more than three decades of military experience, was remembered by family as a devoted \u201clifetime serviceman\u201d who deeply loved his country and his loved ones. His brother shared a heartfelt tribute: \u201cMy brother died for our country. He was a lifetime serviceman. Loved his family and country.\u201d Reports indicated Marzan was nearing the end of what he planned as his final deployment, with an expected return home in roughly two months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>California leaders honored his memory swiftly. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis stated: \u201cCalifornia mourns the loss of Chief Warrant Officer Three Marzan, a courageous Californian whose service to our nation was marked by honor and distinction.\u201d Flags at the state Capitol were lowered to half-staff in his tribute. The Pentagon noted that while Marzan\u2019s presence at the scene was confirmed, positive identification of his remains required final verification by the medical examiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Broader Context: Operation Epic Fury and Rising Tensions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fatalities represent the first confirmed U.S. combat deaths since Operation Epic Fury began with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Objectives include destroying Iran\u2019s offensive missile arsenal, production facilities, naval capabilities, and air defenses while preventing nuclear weapon development. Iran retaliated under <strong>Operation True Promise IV<\/strong>, launching missiles and drones at U.S. and allied positions across the region\u2014including in Kuwait, which hosts major American forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Port Shuaiba incident exposed vulnerabilities in forward-deployed air defenses, particularly at logistics hubs in civilian-adjacent areas. CENTCOM and Pentagon officials have reported additional injuries (at least several seriously wounded) and warned that further losses are probable as operations intensify. The involvement of a Reserve sustainment unit underscores how non-combat roles remain exposed in modern conflicts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As tributes pour in from across the nation, these six service members\u2019 sacrifices highlight the human stakes in the Middle East confrontation. Families, communities in Iowa, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Florida, and the broader military mourn while the operation continues under President Trump\u2019s directive to achieve decisive results swiftly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com<\/em><br><em>Compiled from Pentagon statements, official releases, and verified reporting as of March 5, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The United States military has confirmed the identities of the fifth and sixth American service&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1199,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[830,643,1,784,806],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-more-articles","category-news","category-northamerica","category-united-states"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1199"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6601"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6601\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6603,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6601\/revisions\/6603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/directtopic.com\/jubaglobal.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}