Dignified Transfer Of MN Soldier Killed In Iran War To Take Place Saturday

DOVER, DE — The dignified transfer of six U.S. soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including one from Minnesota, will take place Saturday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to a CNN report.

A dignified transfer of remains is a solemn military tradition intended to honor those who have given their lives in the service of the United States. Each soldier's remains are taken from the arriving aircraft to an awaiting vehicle, then transferred to the mortuary facility located at Dover Air Force Base.

The White House has said President Donald Trump will attend the transfer, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. CST.

• RELATED: MN Soldier Killed In Iran War A Mom Of 2, Days From Return Home
  

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, a mother of two from White Bear Lake, was among six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed Sunday at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait during a drone attack, one day after the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran. All were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, which provides food, fuel, water and ammunition, transport equipment and supplies.

Amor, 39, 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, said Tuesday.

Also killed in the attack were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.

In a statement released Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota was mourning the loss of Amor. On Thursday, he ordered all U.S. and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings to honor her.

"She answered the call to serve and gave her life in service to our state and nation," Walz said. "Minnesotans are wrapping our arms around her loved ones."

According to the U.S. Army, Amor enlisted in the National Guard as an automated logistics specialist in 2005. She transferred to the Army Reserve in 2006 and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019.

Amor’s awards and decorations included 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.

Outside of the military, 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.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.