A Minnesotan is among the U.S. service members who were killed in an airstrike in Kuwait on Sunday, a day after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran.
The Pentagon on Tuesday said that Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake was among those killed during an “unmanned aircraft system attack” in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. It remains under investigation.
Amor had served in the military for more than 20 years. She was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, as were the other three fallen service members whose names were released Tuesday:
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Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.
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Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.
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Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
The 103rd Sustainment Command handles logistics and keeps troops supplied with food, fuel, water, ammunition and transport equipment.
Two other U.S. service members who have died in the conflict have not yet been publicly identified by the military.
‘She’s helped a lot of people’
Amor was just a few days away from returning home to her husband and two children when she was killed.
“You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first — it hurts,” Joey Amor, her husband, told the Associated Press on Tuesday.
Amor was an avid gardener who enjoyed making salsa from the peppers and tomatoes in her garden with her son, a senior in high school. She also enjoyed rollerblading and bicycling with her fourth-grade daughter.
“If you needed anything she would just take care of it for you," Joey Amor said. "She’s helped a lot of people through a lot of dark times, and brought a lot of light to this world.”
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said in a statement that she and her husband “join with people across our state and our country in mourning Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and all those in our armed forces. Sgt. Amor made the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation, and we are forever indebted to her.”
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith also offered condolences in a statement. “Archie and I are so sorry for the tragic loss and ultimate sacrifice of Minnesota’s Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor in service of our country,” said Smith. “We offer our deepest condolences to Nicole’s family and loved ones and pledge our support at this heartbreaking time.”
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, whose district includes White Bear Lake, wrote that she is “heartbroken by the loss of six American service members in the Middle East,” including Amor. “My thoughts are with her family, friends, and fellow Soldiers as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer wrote that he and his wife “are praying for Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor’s family and friends. Our community, state, and nation will forever be thankful for her service to our country.”
The military said Amor enlisted in the National Guard as a 92A (Automated Logistics Specialist) in 2005. She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006, and had previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.
Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
“It with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge and recognize our Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, deputy commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Operational Command Post, said in a statement from the U.S. military. “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.”
‘Our nation is kept safe by folks like these’
When asked about the six deaths on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said an Iranian weapon made it past allied air defenses “and, in that particular case, happened to hit a tactical operations center that was fortified.”
Eighteen American service members also have been seriously wounded, said Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command.
“Our nation is kept safe by folks like these — brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day,” said Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, commanding general, 79th Theater Sustainment Command, in a statement from the military. “They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
More than 250 Minnesota National Guard personnel are on regularly scheduled deployments in or near the Middle East. Guard officials said Monday that no soldiers or airmen from those units have been injured in the current military conflict.
