Cody A. Khork Obituary, Death WINTER HAVEN, Florida — Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, an Army Reserve officer and beloved husband, friend and leader, has died in service to his country after an Iranian drone strike struck a U.S. military facility in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday. Khork was among the six American service members killed during the recent escalation of conflict between the United States and Iran.
Khork, a resident of Winter Haven, Florida, was serving with the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, when the unmanned aerial system struck a tactical operations center on March 1, 2026. The attack also claimed the lives of fellow soldiers, including Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady of West Des Moines, Iowa.
Born and raised in Florida, Khork enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2009 before commissioning as a military police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. His military career included deployments to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Poland, earning him respect and admiration from colleagues and commanders alike.
Friends and fellow soldiers remembered Khork as a dedicated leader who balanced professionalism with genuine care for those under his command. “Cody was the kind of officer you wanted beside you — calm under pressure, fiercely loyal to his troops, and always focused on the welfare of others,” one comrade said in a tribute shared on social media.
His passing has been met with an outpouring of condolences from military leaders, lawmakers and civilians. Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve, issued a statement honoring the sacrifice of Khork and his comrades, calling their service “fearless and selfless in defense of our nation.”
Khork is survived by his wife, parents, siblings and a wide circle of friends whose lives he touched through his service and personal kindness. Funeral arrangements are being planned with respect and gratitude for his sacrifice, and the Army Reserve has pledged continued support for the families of all service members lost in the conflict.
As the United States mourns its fallen, Capt. Cody A. Khork’s legacy stands as a testament to courage, commitment and the enduring bonds forged through military service.