Army Reserve soldier from Sacramento among six killed in Kuwait drone strike
.png "Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of the U.S. Army Reserve.")
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- Robert Marzan, a U.S. Army Reserve soldier from Sacramento, is believed to have died.
- Marzan was among a group of soldiers at a command center during a drone strike.
- A medical examiner will determine Marzan’s positive identification.
A U.S. Army Reserve soldier from Sacramento with roots in Elk Grove was confirmed to be among the group of six service members killed Sunday in a drone strike in Kuwait, family members have said.
Family members and friends of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, as well as state and local political leaders across the Sacramento area, remembered the fallen soldier in tributes that flooded social media on Thursday.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, was at the scene of the drone strike in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, and is believed to be one of the individuals who perished at the scene, according to a Pentagon news release.
Marzan — who lived in Spotsylvania, Virginia — was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was two months away from serving his final deployment before returning to the U.S., a family member said in a social media post upon the news.
Pentagon officials said a medical examiner will complete a positive identification, and the Army Reserve declined to give further information until that identification is complete.
But in Elk Grove and Sacramento County, where Marzan family members live, social media pages were dotted with memories and his yearbook photo while a student at Elk Grove High School.
Marzan’s niece, Irene Mary, struggled to comprehend the sudden loss, she said in an emotional post to Facebook.
“I don’t understand this unimaginable devastation and deep pain as I struggle to share this. I don’t understand,” Irene Mary wrote.
Marzan, she said, was two months away from returning stateside. Kuwait was slated to be his final deployment, capping an Army career that spanned more than 30 years.
She remembered her uncle as a “hero with a servant’s heart,” but also, the fun uncle, a loving father and dear friend to the many who now mourn his loss.
“While the entire world now knows your name uncle, you have always been my loving and fun uncle, grandma’s baby, a devoted husband, protective and loving father, baby brother, cousin and best friend to many,” Irene Mary wrote. “You’re our Hero with a servant’s heart, you lead with love and bravery, you gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, an honorable soldier, and I believe God welcomed you Home with open arms saying ‘Well done, my son, well done.’
A drone hit a command center where Marzan and five other service members were killed, Newsweek reported. The drone strike occurred one day after the U.S. and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran, which launched retaliatory strikes.
On Wednesday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that flags at the state Capitol building and the Capitol annex swing space in downtown Sacramento will continue to be flown at half-staff.
“California mourns the loss of Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert M. Marzan, a courageous Californian whose service to our nation was marked by honor and distinction,” Newsom said in a social media post. “We offer our deepest condolences to his wife and family during this time of profound sorrow. The sacrifices made by military families are immeasurable, and California stands in solidarity with them, in united in grief and gratitude.”
“Sacramento is holding them close as our community mourns together,” Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said in a statement. “May we honor his service and the profound sacrifice he made for his country.”
“Sacramento has lost one of its own,” said state Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, D-Elk Grove. “His dedication, courage, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Marzan’s sister, Elizabeth Marzan, thanked the many who offered condolences and honored Marzan’s sacrifice.
“Your heartfelt love, support and prayers for our family is much appreciated. God bless all those that serve and has given their ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free,” Marzan said. “May God bless all our broken hearts. Help us and give us strength with the same courage and bravery my brother had, to unselfishly serve our country well. God bless you all.”
The Pentagon has released the names of five other members of the Army Reserve who died in the drone strike.
The Pentagon in news releases classified the five other Army Reserve deaths as confirmed casualties and Marzan as a “believed to be casualty.”
Those confirmed by the Pentagon to have died are Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, lowa; and Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa.
All six were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, a major Army Reserve logistics command that manages logistics functions for troops.
This story was originally published March 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM.
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