President Donald Trump attended a solemn ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday to honor six U.S. service members who were killed during the early days of the war with Iran. The dignified transfer marked the return of the fallen troops to American soil, a ceremony traditionally attended by top military leaders and the commander in chief to pay respects to those who died in service.
Trump attends dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base
President Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff, traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the ceremony.
The event honored six U.S. service members who were killed in action. The dignified transfer is a military tradition in which the remains of fallen service members are returned to the United States and formally received by officials and families.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One afterward, Trump said the ceremony was an important moment to honor the fallen troops and their families.
“I’m glad we paid our respects,” Trump said. “It’s a tough situation… great people, great parents, wives, families.”
Six service members identified by the Defense Department
The U.S. Department of Defense identified the fallen service members as:
| Name | Rank | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Cody A. Khork | Captain | 35 |
| Noah L. Tietjens | Sergeant First Class | 42 |
| Nicole M. Amor | Sergeant First Class | 39 |
| Declan J. Coady | Sergeant | 20 |
| Jeffrey O’Brien | Major | 45 |
| Robert M. Marzan | Chief Warrant Officer 3 | 54 |
All six were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, a logistics unit based in Des Moines, Iowa. The unit is responsible for supplying troops with food, equipment, and other essential resources.
Troops killed in drone attack in Kuwait
According to the Defense Department, the service members died during an unmanned aircraft system attack at Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on Sunday, March 1.
Military officials said the attack occurred during the early stages of the war involving Iran.
The details of the drone strike and the broader circumstances surrounding the attack are still being reviewed by the Pentagon.
President reflects on the cost of war
During the flight after the ceremony, Trump spoke about the loss of the six troops and the broader realities of military conflict.
When asked by a reporter about the possibility of attending additional dignified transfers, Trump acknowledged the difficult nature of the responsibility.
“I’d hate to do it, but it’s a part of war, isn’t it?” the president said.
“It’s the sad part of war, the bad part of war.”
Earlier in the day, Trump also addressed Latin American leaders in Miami, where he called the deaths of the soldiers a “very sad situation.”
“They’re coming home in a different manner than they thought they’d be coming home,” he said, adding that the service members were heroes.
A solemn duty for the commander in chief
Dignified transfers at Dover Air Force Base are among the most somber ceremonies conducted by the U.S. military.
The ceremony typically involves a flag-draped transfer case carrying the remains of the fallen service member being carried by a military team from an aircraft to a transport vehicle.
Presidents from both parties have attended such ceremonies during times of war as a way to honor the sacrifice of military personnel and their families.
During his first term in office, Trump described attending dignified transfers as “the toughest thing I have to do as president.”
Return to Florida after ceremony
After the ceremony concluded, Trump was expected to travel back to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
The White House said the administration continues to monitor developments related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
