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Pentagon identifies soldiers killed in Kuwait
The Pentagon has identified four U.S. soldiers killed in Kuwait as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.
The Pentagon on Wednesday released the identities of the last two names of the six U.S. soldiers who were killed during an attack in Kuwait.
They died Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, just a day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran.
The four other soldier identities were previously released by the Pentagon on Tuesday.
Final 2 IDs of soldiers killed in Kuwait released
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa. (Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, a resident of Waukee, Iowa, was commissioned into the Army Reserve as a Signal Corps Officer in 2012.
He deployed to Kuwait in 2019.
O’Brien’s awards and decorations include 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 the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento
The Pentagon said Marzan was at the scene when a drone strike hit the command center in Kuwait and is "believed to be the individual who perished at the scene," according to the statement. A medical examiner will confirm identification, the Pentagon said.
The other soldiers identified Tuesday by the Pentagon were: Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa,; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
FILE - The U.S. Army released images of four service members lost in Kuwait over the weekend. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)
6 American service members killed
As of Tuesday, the US military has said that six American service members have died overseas in the Iran operations. Three of the deaths were announced Sunday, and the other three were announced Monday.
Central Command has mentioned at least five other troops being seriously wounded in the attacks.
What they're saying:
"It with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge and recognize our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Our Soldiers relentlessly, consistently, and fearlessly served with sincere dedication and pride," said Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, Deputy Commanding General, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operational Command Post. "They were the ultimate ambassadors for freedom. They represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort in their memories. We will never forget them."
US and Israel attack Iran
The backstory:
On Saturday, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Tehran, and Trump said the U.S. was starting major combat operations against Iran.
The strikes killed the country’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other high ranking officials, throwing its leadership into question and raising the risk of regional instability.
RELATED: World leaders react to 'Operation Epic Fury' US - Israel military strikes across Iran
Dig deeper:
Trump said there were four objectives for the continuing operations:
- Destroy Iran’s missile capabilities
- Wipe out its naval capacity
- Stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon
- "Ensure that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders."
This is the second time in eight months that the Trump administration has attacked the Islamic Republic during talks over its nuclear program. He said he expected the operations to last for 4 to 5 weeks.
The Source: Information for this article as taken from reporting by The Associated Press and the U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk. This story was reported from San Jose.