Soldier From Polk County Among 6 Killed In Iranian Attacks

WINTER HAVEN, FL — A captain from the Tampa Bay region was one of four U.S. soldiers identified Tuesday by the Pentagon as being among the six killed in the Iran war.

Those named Tuesday were Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was posthumously promoted from specialist. No other names were released.

Khork was very patriotic and drawn from a young age to serving the U.S., his family said in a statement Tuesday.

“That commitment helped shape the course of his life and reflected the deep sense of duty that was always at the core of who he was,” said his mother, Donna Burhans, father, James Khork, and stepmother, Stacey Khork, in a statement.

His family described him as “the life of the party, known for his infectious spirit, generous heart, and deep care for those who served alongside him and for everyone blessed to know him.” He loved history and had a degree in political science.

The soldiers identified Tuesday were members of the Army Reserve who worked in logistics and kept troops supplied with food and equipment. All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command.

They died Sunday when a drone hit a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, just a day after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones against Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces.

“Sadly, there will likely be more, before it ends. That’s the way it is,” President Donald Trump said of the deaths.

Khork enlisted as a multiple launch rocket system and fire direction specialist in the National Guard in 2009, according to the Army Reserve. He commissioned as a military police officer in the Reserve in 2014, and he deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Guantanamo Bay in 2021 and Poland in 2024.

Khork’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 10 Year Device and “M” Device, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, according to the Army Reserve.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.