The family of Army Sergeant Declan J. Coady is mourning the loss of their beloved member, who was tragically killed in a drone strike during operations in Kuwait. Turning 21 on May 5, Coady, from West Des Moines, Iowa, was just two months shy of his milestone birthday. His sister, Kiera, has expressed profound grief over his untimely death, describing him as “a baby” who had so much life ahead of him.
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Coady was among six American soldiers who lost their lives on March 1 while serving in a command building near a port in Kuwait. According to the Pentagon, this incident occurred during Operation Epic Fury, a collaborative military effort between the United States and Israel aimed at countering Iranian influence and ambitions in the region.
Reflecting on the devastating moment the family received notification of the attack, Kiera shared, “On Sunday, March 1, after trying to check in, we heard nothing. Initially, we held hope, assuming he was simply unable to contact us. However, as the evening wore on, an unsettling feeling took over.” She recounted how the arrival of military personnel at their home was an unmistakable indicator of the worst news imaginable.
Coady’s death occurred en route to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries sustained in the strike. In recognition of his service, he was posthumously promoted from specialist to sergeant. Kiera poignantly regretted not having had the chance to speak with him one last time. “I wish I had called him one more time to tell him I loved him,” she lamented. “If I could have, I would have traded places with him so he could have known he was safe.”
The pain in Kiera’s voice was palpable as she recounted her instinctive desire to reach out to her brother as soon as she heard about the drone strike. “I thought, perhaps if I called him, I would hear his voice assuring us that he was alright,” she recalled. Unfortunately, her hopes were dashed as there was no response, not even a voicemail left behind.
Describing her brother further, Kiera stated that Coady was not only highly intelligent but also a kind and commendable person, central to their family dynamic. “I could struggle to find adjectives that encapsulate his essence; he was truly a pillar in our lives,” she said. “He was the most incredible brother and son that my family could ask for.”
In addition to Coady, the Pentagon has identified another three soldiers who lost their lives in the strike: Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, a 39-year-old Army Reservist and mother of two; Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42. The names of the remaining two soldiers are yet to be released.
As the family navigates through their grief, the broader context of Coady’s death underscores the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, with the military action being part of measures aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and political leverage in the region.
This tragedy adds another deeply personal story to the human cost of conflict, reminding the public of the sacrifices made by service members and their families. Within their personal sorrow, Coady’s family is determined to remember him as the “smart, kind, and amazing” individual he was, while expressing their hope for peace amid such turmoil.
As the military and government officials continue to address the complexities of the ongoing war, the family of Sergeant Declan J. Coady, along with countless others, are left to grapple with the reality of loss and the call for an end to the violence.