By Brianne Pfannenstiel, Des Moines Register
Iowa political leaders sent their sympathies to the family of an Iowa man who was among the first casualties of the U.S. war with Iran, mourning his “bravery and sacrifice” in service.
Declan Coady, 20, a sophomore at Drake University and Army reservist from West Des Moines, was killed in action in Kuwait on Sunday, March 1, in an Iranian strike on Camp Buehring, a U.S. base there. His father Andrew and sister Keira confirmed the news to the Des Moines Register in a phone call.
The Pentagon on Tuesday, March 3, identified the others killed in the strike as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It also confirmed Coady was among them.
“All soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa,” the Pentagon said.
Here’s what Iowa officials said:
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds
Cody Scanlan/The Register
“Today, we mourn the loss of Sergeant Declan Coady, a young Iowan who heroically answered his nation’s call to duty and gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Kevin and I offer our deepest condolences to his family and ask all Iowans to join us in prayer for their healing and comfort.”
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of these four brave soldiers, including Sgt. Declan Coady, a young man from West Des Moines. These heroes paid the ultimate price to protect against the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, and we will never forget their service and sacrifice. They represent the best of Iowa, and the best of America. Barbara and I are praying for their loved ones as they mourn this great loss, and we continue to pray for the safety of all soldiers who are serving in harm’s way,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst
“Please join me in lifting up the families and loved ones of these courageous heroes in your prayers,” U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said on a social media post identifying the Army Reserve soldiers who were killed.
“They served in a noble endeavor and their sacrifice is one that can never be repaid,” she said. “My heart goes out to Iowans especially as we grieve together over the loss of West Des Moines native Sgt. Declan J. Coady and for the entire 103rd Sustainment Command family.”
US Rep. Ashley Hinson
“My heart is shattered for our state and the family who received a call no parent should ever have to receive,” 2nd District U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said in a statement on social media. “Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Matt and I are praying for the loved ones grieving unimaginable loss tonight and for every servicemember defending our freedoms far from home. We are also praying hard for the military families carrying the quiet weight of worry while their loved ones serve. May God wrap His arms around our Gold Star families and give strength, protection, and peace to our troops carrying out this mission.”
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said Coady’s death “is devastating to all of us.”
“We can never be grateful enough for his service and sacrifice,” she said in a statement. “The IDP family’s thoughts are with Declan’s family and friends as they grieve this painful loss. God bless all of our troops who continue to put themselves in harm’s way in the coming days. We all hope and pray for their safe return.”
Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann
“Vicki and I are heartbroken to learn of the loss of Sgt. Declan Coady of West Des Moines,” Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement. “A young Iowan with a bright future, Sgt. Coady made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We join all Iowans and Americans across the nation in grieving alongside his family, friends, and fellow soldiers during this incredibly difficult time. May God bless Sgt. Coady’s memory and watch over our brave men and women in uniform serving at home and abroad as they defend the freedoms we hold dear.”
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn
“Kelly and I are heartbroken and join Iowa in grieving Sgt. Declan Coady of West Des Moines — just 20 years old,” U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, of Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. “Sgt. Coady represented the very best of our country and the Army Reserve. He stepped forward to serve, deployed to defend our nation, and gave everything in that mission. We honor his sacrifice and stand shoulder to shoulder with his family, praying for strength and remembering a young man who gave his life in service to our country.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra
“I want to share my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the four servicemembers who lost their lives in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait, including Army Reserve Specialist Declan J. Coady of West Des Moines,” said U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, of Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. “Our nation mourns their loss and is resolved to end Iran’s hostile acts of terror. I pray for their families, fellow servicemembers, and the success of Operation Epic Fury.”
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand
“Iowa: please join me in praying for Declan Coady, a 20-year old Army Reservist and Drake student, who was one of the lives lost among the escalating conflict in the Middle East,” state Auditor Rob Sand posted on social media. “Join me also in praying for his family and loved ones, and for all the communities he was part of, and thanking him for his service and ultimate sacrifice.”
Iowa state Sen. Renee Hardman
Democratic State Sen. Renee Hardman, of West Des Moines, said her thoughts and “those of the entire West Des Moines community” are with the Coady family.
“I am profoundly moved by Declan Coady’s service to our country,” she said in a statement. “Let’s honor his bravery and sacrifice by treasuring the indelible mark his life has left on our community.”
State Reps. Jennifer Konfrst, Rob Johnson
State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, a Democrat from Windsor Heights who is a professor at Drake University, and state Rep. Rob Johnson, a Democrat from Des Moines whose district includes Drake, shared their sympathies.“This news is heartbreaking and devastating for Iowa and our nation,” they said in a statement. “Declan Coady is gone too soon, and his sacrifice is one that should lead us all to pause and reflect. Our hearts are with the Drake community and his family during this time of unimaginable grief.“
Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek
State Rep. Josh Turek, a Democrat from Council Bluffs who is running for the U.S. Senate, said in a statement that he is “mourning with his community and honoring Declan’s heroic sacrifice.”
“Those who have a family member deployed in a war zone fear that they could one day get that knock at the door, and that has now tragically and sadly become real for this family,” he said in a statement. “And it serves as a reminder of the gravity of the sacrifices and risks we ask of the men and women who sign up to serve their country.”
Iowa State Sen. Zach Wahls
State Sen. Zach Wahls, a Democrat from Coralville and candidate for U.S. Senate, said Coady’s death and the deaths of other American service members is “immeasurable.”
“I stand with all Americans as we honor their service and sacrifice,” he said in a statement. “The cost of this war is already too great. Our service members and their families deserve answers from this administration. The American people deserve accountability. Chloe and I are holding Declan’s family and loved ones in our hearts and our prayers. May Declan’s memory be a blessing.”
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