The figure skating world was shaken by Alysa Liu’s withdrawal, but the nation now mourns a different kind of loss: U.S. Army Capt. Cody A. Khork, a 35-year-old Army Reserve officer from Winter Haven, Florida, who was killed in an Iranian drone strike at Shuaiba Port in Kuwait on March 1, 2026.

Just hours before the attack that claimed six American service members’ lives—including Khork’s— the soldier shared what his loved ones now describe as his final messages home. Those messages carried the same warmth, humor, and genuine care that defined him, earning him the nickname “the life of the party” among family, friends, and fellow soldiers. Nothing in those exchanges hinted at danger; they were filled with the everyday joy and encouragement that made him so beloved.

In the wake of the tragedy, Khork’s family has opened up about those last communications, revealing how ordinary words now hold profound, heartbreaking significance. Relatives told media outlets that he remained upbeat, checking in on loved ones, sharing laughs, and expressing pride in his service—classic Cody, always lifting others even while deployed far from home.

Khork, assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) out of Des Moines, Iowa, was part of a logistics unit supporting U.S. forces in the region. The soldiers worked in a tactical operations center at the commercial port of Shuaiba, a key hub for shipping supplies, vehicles, and equipment. The strike, described by officials as an unmanned aircraft system attack amid escalating tensions in the opening phase of U.S.-Iran conflict (referred to in some reports as Operation Epic Fury), evaded defenses and struck without warning.

The Pentagon has identified four of the six fallen: Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor (or similar spelling variations in reports); and Spc. (posthumously promoted) Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. Two others remain unnamed pending family notifications.

Khork’s service record was distinguished: He enlisted in the National Guard in 2009, commissioned as a Military Police officer in the Army Reserve in 2014, and earned accolades including the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He had deployed previously to Saudi Arabia (2018), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2021), and Poland (2024). At the time of his death, he was pursuing a master’s degree online at Webster University in Business and Organizational Security Management.

Those who knew him best remember a man who embodied positivity and leadership. Family members called him “the life of the party,” someone who made everyone around him feel valued and happy. A former ROTC leader who swore him in as an officer recalled Khork as a fun-loving cadet who excelled in one-on-one mentoring and always brought energy to any room.

His final messages home—simple check-ins filled with love and humor—have become cherished last connections for his grieving family. In interviews, relatives shared how those words, once routine, now carry the weight of permanence, a final reminder of the man who served with dedication and lived with infectious joy.

As the nation honors the fallen from this devastating attack, Capt. Khork’s story stands out as one of quiet heroism and unwavering spirit. He leaves behind a legacy of service, laughter, and love that will endure far beyond the tragedy at Shuaiba Port. Rest in peace, Captain Khork—your light touched so many. 🇺🇸