U.S. Soldier Killed In Kuwait Recently Brought Home To Spotsylvania

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — A U.S. service member with ties to Spotsylvania County was killed during the Iranian regime's March 1 attacks across the Middle East, according to U.S. Central Command.

Although Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, grew up in Sacramento, California, he had recently purchased a home in Spotsylvania County, according to the Los Angeles Times.

On Saturday, Marzan was one of the six U.S. casualties whose remains were met by President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, family members and other officials at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware.

"Marzan served our nation with courage and dedication," U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-Fredericksburg) said, in a release. "My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his loved ones and his fellow soldiers."

The Associated Press said Marzan was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger released a statement after Marzan's death was confirmed: “My heart is with the family of Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert M. Marzan, a brave American who was killed in Kuwait. Adam and I are praying for his family, friends, and loved ones. As they mourn him, we honor his service and sacrifice.”

Marzan's niece, Irene Mary, posted on Facebook that her uncle was two months away from completing his final tour after serving 30 years in the Army.

"While the entire world now knows your name uncle, you have always been my loving and fun uncle, grandma’s baby, a devoted husband, protective and loving father, baby brother, cousin and best friend to many," Irene Mary said. "You’re our Hero with a servant’s heart, you lead with love and bravery, you gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, an honorable soldier, and I believe God welcomed you Home with open arms saying 'Well done, my son, well done.'"

"Virginia mourns the loss of Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert M. Marzan, a tragic casualty of the Iran War," Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) said in a social post shared on March 5. "Let’s all pray for his family in Spotsylvania."

The other service members whose remains were met and honored in Dover were U.S. Army Reserve Members Maj. Jeffrey O'Brien, Capt. Cody Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, and Sgt. Declan Coady.