Gov. Reynolds Orders Flags Flown At Half-Staff To Honor Fallen Iowa Soldiers

Take a moment to honor two Iowans who gave all for us this past week overseas.

Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on the final day of interment in honor and remembrance of Major Jeffery O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. Both are Army Reserve Soldiers with the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, and were killed in action on March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.

“Our hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “On behalf of a grateful state, Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences for their families, and we ask all Iowans to stand united in support of our fallen soldiers and those who loved them.”

Funeral service information for the soldiers has not been publicly announced.

Major O'Brien and Sgt. Coady were two of six casualties, all six were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines.

The other soldiers lost include Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento.