By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
WASHINGTON — A seventh U.S. service member has died from injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on American forces in the Middle East, U.S. military officials confirmed Sunday.
The service member, whose name has not yet been released pending notification of family members, was critically wounded during a March 1 missile and drone attack on U.S. forces stationed in Saudi Arabia. The soldier later died from those injuries, bringing the total number of American troops killed in the escalating conflict with Iran to seven.
The latest death follows the killing of six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers earlier in the conflict when an Iranian drone struck a U.S. tactical operations center at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait.
The Pentagon identified those six service members as:
• Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
• Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
• Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
• Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
• Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California
All six were members of the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines, Iowa, and were responsible for logistics and support operations.
President Donald Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base this week as the remains of the six fallen service members were returned to the United States. Senior administration officials and military leaders joined the president in honoring the troops’ service and sacrifice.
The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensified in recent days following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Iranian forces and allied groups have responded with missile and drone attacks against American and partner facilities throughout the region.
U.S. military officials have warned that additional casualties are possible as operations continue and tensions across the Middle East remain high.
The Pentagon has not released further details about the seventh service member who died Sunday, including their unit or hometown.
The Dale County Chronicle extends its condolences and thoughts to the families of the fallen men and women servicemembers.
