On July 22, four U.S. service members killed during the ongoing conflict with Iran were returned to the United States in a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, bringing the total number of American military deaths in the war to 20. The Pentagon has also reported over 400 troops wounded in action during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led campaign against Iran initiated in February by president Donald Trump amid allegations of nuclear weapons development.

Among the fallen was Sgt. Michael Swinton, 30, whose family described him as a devoted husband and father. Swinton, who first met his wife while both were deployed in Bahrain, was remembered as a skilled handyman who left the Army to raise their children. His wife, Mia Gonzales-Swinton, recalled the emotional moment their daughter asked if her father was in one of the transfer cases.

Several other service members were also commemorated. Master Sgt. Nicole M. Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, died in a drone strike at a U.S. base in Kuwait just days before she was due to return home. Amor, assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command supporting logistics operations, had previously deployed to Kuwait and Iraq. Her husband, Joey Amor, expressed profound grief, describing her as a loving mother and active parent who enjoyed rollerblading and cycling with their daughter.

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio, died in a KC-135 refueling plane crash over western Iraq on March 12. The crash, confirmed as non-hostile by U.S. Central Command, also claimed the lives of five others. Angst was a pilot with the 166th Air Refueling Squadron and was noted for his generosity and leadership. He is survived by his wife, Mary.

Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, an Army reservist and sophomore at Drake University, was killed on March 1 in the same drone strike that took Amor’s life. Coady, from West Des Moines, Iowa, served as an information technologies specialist and had voluntarily accepted deployment despite eligibility for exemption. His family described him as more than a soldier—an integral part of their lives and a devoted son.

Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, a member of the New York National Guard and an NYPD officer, died on March 6 from a medical episode while stationed at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Davius had previously served in Kuwait and was responsible for computer and communications network security with the 42nd Infantry Division. He is survived by his wife and six children.

Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards, 42, was declared deceased after a helicopter he piloted ditched in the Arabian Sea on July 1. Edwards had led the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 since 2025 and served with Naval Special Warfare Group 4. The Navy reported that three other sailors were rescued in the incident, but Edwards was never found despite an extensive search. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Two deaths occurred during Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan in July. 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, died on July 18 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. Feehan, an Army combat engineer and ROTC graduate, had plans to marry and pursue further education. His parents praised his adventurous spirit and dedication to service.

Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Carrollton, Texas, also died in the Jordan attack. Gonzales, a recent high school graduate and member of the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, was remembered by classmates and Texas officials as a courageous young soldier who answered the call to serve. Her death elicited mourning across her community.

President Trump described the fallen troops as heroes committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The renewed hostilities, ongoing since February, have highlighted the sacrifices made by U.S. military personnel amid a volatile regional conflict.