CBS: March 1 Iranian Drone Strike Far Deadlier Than First Reported — Dozens Suffer Brain Trauma, Shrapnel Wounds

An Iranian drone strike on March 1 that killed seven U.S. service members inflicted far greater harm on survivors than initially reported, a CBS News investigation says. Scores of American troops who survived the attack have suffered serious injuries ranging from brain trauma to shrapnel wounds and burns.

Scope of Injuries

According to the CBS report by Jennifer Jacobs, Eleanor Watson and James LaPorta, injuries among survivors include concussions and other forms of brain trauma, extensive shrapnel wounds, severe burns, and at least one traumatic limb injury that required amputation. Many injured personnel required urgent and ongoing hospital care.

Hospitalizations and Resource Shifts

Sources told CBS News that more than 30 U.S. troops from the incident are receiving treatment at military medical facilities: one at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, about a dozen at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and roughly two dozen at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The Military Times reported that Landstuhl temporarily suspended labor and delivery services as staff and resources were redirected to treat combat casualties.

Fatalities

The seven service members killed in the drone strike were identified as:

• Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa
• Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California
• 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
• Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
• Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky

Official Response

After the March 1 attack, President Donald Trump posted a video message confirming initial deaths and warning that more casualties were possible. In the video he said:

“We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. But we’ll do everything possible so that won’t be the case.”

The CBS investigation highlights both the immediate human toll and the strain on military medical facilities treating the wounded. Further inquiries into the strike and its aftermath were ongoing at the time of reporting.