Additional Coverage:
Winter Haven Mourns Loss of “Life of the Party” Captain in Kuwait Attack
Winter Haven, FL – Our community is deeply saddened by the news that Captain Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, was among the six American service members tragically killed in an Iranian drone strike over the weekend at Shuaiba port in Kuwait. Captain Khork’s family remembers him as “the life of the party” and a man whose life was “defined by devotion, character, and service.”
Captain Khork was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, an Army Reserve unit based in Des Moines, Iowa. He began his dedicated military career enlisting in the National Guard in 2009 and was commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. His prior deployments included tours in Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, and Poland, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to his country.
His family shared in a statement Wednesday that Cody was known for his “infectious spirit, generous heart, and deep care for those who served alongside him and for everyone blessed to know him.” A passionate student of history, Captain Khork studied political science at Florida Southern College, where he was also a part of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. His family emphasized his profound patriotism and the pride he took in serving a cause greater than himself.
“Above all, Cody found the love of his life and carried that same devotion into both his personal life and his service to this country,” his family stated. “He lived with purpose, loved deeply, and served honorably. His legacy will endure in the lives he touched, the example he set, and the love of country and family that defined him.”
The Pentagon has also identified three other service members killed in the attack: Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M.
Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J.
Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. The names of the remaining two service members are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.
In addition to the fatalities, 18 service members were wounded in the strike.
The community extends its deepest condolences to Captain Khork’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. His sacrifice and unwavering dedication to his country will not be forgotten.