President Donald Trump joined the families of six US service members killed in a drone strike in Kuwait during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday. The event, one of the most sombre duties for a commander-in-chief, saw Trump wearing a Trump-branded 'USA' golf cap.
The soldiers, all from the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, were killed earlier this week at a command centre in Kuwait. They died one day after the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran. The six were identified as Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor, 39; Captain Cody Khork, 35; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54; Major Jeffrey O'Brien, 45; Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, 42; and Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, who was posthumously promoted from specialist.
Speaking earlier in Miami, Trump called the fallen service members heroes and said it was 'a very sad situation'. He pledged to keep American war deaths 'to a minimum'. The president was accompanied by Vice-President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other officials. Cellphones were prohibited during the entire transfer.
Families shared their grief. Joey Amor, husband of Sergeant First Class Amor, said she was due to return home within days. 'You don't go to Kuwait thinking something's going to happen,' he said. Major O'Brien's aunt described him as 'the sweetest blue-eyed, blonde farm kid you'd ever know'. Chief Warrant Officer Marzan's sister called him a 'strong leader' and loving brother.
Sergeant Coady's father, Andrew Coady, said his son 'loved being a soldier' and was 'one of the most kindest people you would ever meet'. Captain Khork's family remembered him as 'the life of the party' with a 'generous heart'. Sergeant First Class Tietjens's cousin Kaylyn Golike asked for prayers for his 12-year-old son, wife, and parents as they navigate 'unimaginable loss'.
