Remembering the 13 service members who died in Iran conflict

The peace agreement between the United States and Iran that was announced Sunday is expected to close the chapter on a conflict that claimed the lives of 13 American service members who died serving their nation.

Six of them died in a drone attack soon after the war started, while another soldier died on the same day in what the military described as “an enemy attack.” The final six all died less than two weeks later when their refueling plane crashed. 

The first six casualties happened on March 1, just a day after the conflict began, and involved six Army Reservists who were all assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, in Des Moines, Iowa. According to the U.S. military, they died after a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. 

On the same day, Sgt. Benjamin Pennington was injured in “an enemy attack” at Prince Sultan Air Base, in Saudi Arabia, according to the Department of Defense. He died from those wounds a week later.

The airmen were identified as Maj. John A. Klinner, Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, Capt. Seth R. Koval, Capt. Curtis J. Angst, and Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio. 

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)

Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, enlisted in the National Guard as a 92A (Automated Logistics Specialist) in 2005. 

Amor's 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.

Capt. Curtis J. Angst

Captain Angst was a combat-proven aviator, deployed in 2015 and 2026 in support of Operations SPARTAN SHIELD and EPIC FURY. Over his tenure he amassed 880 total flight hours, including 67 hours flown in combat missions. 

Sgt. Declan Coady

Coady's awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon, according to the U.S. Army Reserve.

Capt. Cody Khork 

He deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2021, and Poland in 2024. 

Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala. (Department of Defense)

Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Ala., graduated from Auburn University in 2016 after earning a degree in mechanical engineering. In a statement mourning his death, Auburn wrote that “His commitment to serving our nation reflects the courage, character and sense of duty demonstrated by those who choose a life of service.”

Capt. Seth R. Koval 

Captain Koval was a seasoned combat pilot who deployed in 2014, 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2026. He supported United States Air Forces in Europe, United States Central Command, and United States Pacific Command during Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, SPARTAN SHIELD, and EPIC FURY, as well as a Theater Security Package. He logged over 2,076 total flight hours, including 443 combat hours. 

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan

Marzan's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 Awards), NATO Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4 Awards), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (7 Awards), and the Multinational Force and Observers Medal.

Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien

He deployed to Kuwait in 2019.

U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo, died March 8, 2026, from injuries sustained during an enemy attack on March 1, 2026, at Prince Sultan Air Bas

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington

Pennington's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky, joined the U.S. Air Force in 2017, logged nearly 900 flight hours, and was deployed four times. 

Captain Ariana G. Savino was the Chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama. (MacDill Air Force Base)

Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington, was the Chief of Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Alabama. 

Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, Columbus, Ohio (Department of Defense)

Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio, was a KC-135 Boom Operator with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron, 121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. He conducted worldwide air refueling missions, transferring fuel to receiver aircraft, along with aeromedical, cargo, and passenger operations in support of the Air Force's global reach mission.

Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. (U.S. Army Reserve Command Press Desk)

Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska, enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic). 

Tietjens' awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal With “M” Device.