The U.S. Army has identified the seventh American service member who has died since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran as Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, a National Guard soldier from Cambria Heights, Queens, New York.
Davius died March 6 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as a result of a non-combat related incident, the Department of Defense announced. He was assigned to the Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division, based in Troy, New York, and was supporting Operation Spartan Shield at the time of his death. The incident remains under investigation.
The Context
Davius is the seventh U.S. service member to die since the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury last Saturday, targeting key Iranian military infrastructure and killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab states that host U.S. armed forces. It marks the second time in eight months that Israel and the U.S. used military force against the Islamic Republic.
What To Know
All seven Americans killed since the start of the conflict have been Army soldiers. The six who preceded Davius were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines, Iowa, killed March 1 when an Iranian drone struck a command center at a Kuwaiti port.
Those soldiers were: Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California; Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday to attend the dignified transfer of those six soldiers — the first such transfer of the conflict. Before departing for Delaware, Trump pledged to keep American war deaths “to a minimum.”
Unlike his six predecessors, Davius’s death was not combat-related, though the Army has not disclosed further details. The incident is under investigation.
What People Are Saying
NYPD News, via X: “The NYPD mourns the loss of Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who passed away yesterday as a result of a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Epic Fury. Officer Davius served in the 42nd Infantry Division in the U.S. Army National Guard and rose to the rank of Major. In 2014, he began his service with the NYPD where he was assigned to the 79th Precinct. Today, and always, we keep his family in our thoughts and prayers. May we never forget Officer Davius’ sacrifice and may his memory be a blessing.”
New York Council Speaker Julie Menin, via X: “I’m incredibly saddened by the passing of NYPD Officer Sorffly Davius, who was serving our country in Kuwait as a Major in the U.S. Army National Guard. His loved ones are in my thoughts, and I join New Yorkers across the five boroughs in mourning his loss.”
New York Fire Department, via X: “The FDNY joins our brothers and sisters at the @NYPDnews in mourning the loss of Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who passed away following a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Epic Fury. Prior to his service with the NYPD, he also served the City of New York as an FDNY paramedic at Station 57. The FDNY extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We will never forget his service and sacrifice. May he rest in peace.”
Rep. Mike Lawler, New York Republican, via X: “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the loss of NYPD Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who passed away following a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Epic Fury. He served our nation with honor in the U.S. Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, rising to the rank of Major, before joining the NYPD in 2014.”
Adding: “My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the entire NYPD. May his memory be a blessing, and may we never forget his service and sacrifice.”
Lieutenant General Robert Harter, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command: “We honor our fallen heroes, who served fearlessly and selflessly in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.”
Major General Todd Erskine, commanding general of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command: “Our nation is kept safe by folks like these—brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”
Brigadier General Clint A. Barnes, deputy commanding general of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, said: “They represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort in their memories. We will never forget them.”
