One of the six military personnel killed in the first days of Operation Epic Fury was from Nebraska.
The Department of Defense identified Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens of Bellevue as one of the US service members who died on March 1 during an attack by an unmanned aircraft in Kuwait.
The other three who were identified by the Pentagon are Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. All the servicemembers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines. Two other service members who were killed in the attack were not identified yet by the Pentagon.
According to The Military Times, Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a 91B (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic). He was deployed twice to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal With “M” Device.
Tietjens was a graduate of Bellevue West High School, which Bellevue Public Schools confirmed to KETV-TV.
Nebraska’s political leaders shared their reaction and condolences on social media.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said on X: “Suzanne and I are deeply saddened to learn of Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens’ death. We are holding the Tietjens family close to our hearts during this unbelievably difficult time and will keep them in our prayers. Noah stepped up to serve and defend the American people from foreign enemies around the world — a sacrifice we must never forget. Please join us in praying for the Tietjens and for all members of the United States military who stand in harm’s way to protect our freedom.”
Similar statements were made by Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer, and all three of Nebraska’s members in the House of Representatives.
The last service member killed in action in Nebraska was Cpl. Daegan Page. He was one of 13 service members killed in terrorist attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of the US withdrawal of Afghanistan
