WINTER HAVEN, FL – The quiet streets of Winter Haven are draped in mourning this week as the community grapples with the loss of one of its finest. Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, a dedicated Army Reserve officer and beloved local figure, has been identified as one of the six American service members killed during a devastating drone attack in Kuwait. The strike, which hit a command center at Port Shuaiba on March 1, 2026, marks one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces since the outbreak of the current conflict with Iran.

Capt. Khork, a man described by his family as “the life of the party” with an “infectious spirit,” was not just a soldier; he was a leader who felt a calling to serve from a young age. His journey began with enlistment in the National Guard in 2009, eventually leading him to commission as a military police officer through Florida Southern College’s ROTC program.

The Port Shuaiba Strike

The incident occurred in the opening hours of what has been dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” Following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian military targets, Iran launched a wave of retaliatory drone and missile attacks across the Gulf region. The command center at Port Shuaiba, a critical logistics hub, was targeted by a low-flying suicide drone that reportedly evaded conventional air defenses.

Khork and five other members of the 103rd Sustainment Command were inside a tactical operations center—essentially a modified trailer—when the munition struck. While concrete barriers protected the perimeter from ground-level threats, the lack of overhead hardening proved fatal.

A Legacy of Devotion

Beyond the uniform, Cody was a scholar of history and political science, passions that fueled his deep-seated patriotism. His career was marked by distinguished service, including deployments to Saudi Arabia, Guantanamo Bay, and Poland. He was a highly decorated officer, earning the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, among many others.

“Cody lived with purpose and loved deeply,” his parents, James and Stacey Khork, shared in a moving tribute. “He found the love of his life and carried that same devotion into his service to this country.”

The Rising Toll of the 2026 Conflict

The death of Capt. Khork comes amid a rapidly widening war. Since the February 28th strikes that reportedly claimed the life of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the region has been engulfed in flames. President Trump has described the mission as a “major combat operation” to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities.

However, the cost is mounting. Alongside Khork, the Pentagon identified Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, Sgt. Declan Coady, Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan as the fallen heroes of the Shuaiba attack.

In Winter Haven, the loss is personal. Cody Khork wasn’t just a name in a news report; he was a neighbor, a student, and a man who believed in a cause greater than himself. As flags across Florida fly at half-staff, the community stands united in honoring a legacy defined by honor, leadership, and an ultimate sacrifice that will never be forgotten.