A Sacramento Army reservist is believed to be among six U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, the Pentagon announced Wednesday, marking the first American combat deaths in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, is believed to have died March 2 at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait’s main industrial port, according to the Los Angeles Times. Formal identification of his remains is still pending a medical examiner’s review. The Army said it would not release further information on Marzan until that process is complete.
Marzan was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), based in Des Moines, Iowa, and had deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Epic Fury, the name given to the U.S. war effort against Iran. The unit provides food, fuel, water, and ammunition to deployed forces, and oversees transportation of equipment and supplies.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis released a joint statement honoring Marzan’s service. “California mourns the loss of Chief Warrant Officer Three Marzan, a courageous Californian whose service to our nation was marked by honor and distinction,” the statement read. “We offer our deepest condolences to his wife and family during this time of profound sorrow. The sacrifices made by military families are immeasurable, and California stands in solidarity with them, united in grief and gratitude.”
In honor of Marzan, flags at the state Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space have been ordered to fly at half-staff.
California Sen. Adam Schiff said his thoughts are with Marzan’s family and the people of Sacramento. California Sen. Alex Padilla also offered condolences, saying, “May he rest in peace, and may God comfort his wife and family.”
According to The American Legion, the five other soldiers killed in the strike were Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa; Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. All six served with the 103rd Sustainment Command.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a Tuesday news briefing that the drone penetrated air defenses and struck a fortified tactical operations center. “These are powerful weapons,” he said. “Moments like that — as we remember them and we take care of them and take care of their families — only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we do this properly.”
President Trump expressed condolences Sunday for the fallen soldiers and warned the death toll could rise. “Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends,” President Trump said. “That’s the way it is.”
The attack came after U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes Saturday, March 1 on Iranian military targets, triggering retaliatory attacks. The six soldiers represent the only U.S. combat deaths reported so far in the conflict. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Iowans’ “hearts are broken” by the losses, calling O’Brien and Coady “two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace.”
The Pentagon has not announced any changes to troop deployments or defensive posture in Kuwait in the wake of the attack. The conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran remains ongoing.
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