Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, a devoted mother of two from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was just days away from returning home when a drone strike in Kuwait claimed her life along with five other U.S. service members.
Her husband, Joey Amor, described the moment with heartbreak, saying, “She was almost home. You don’t go to Kuwait thinking something’s going to happen, and for her to be one of the first – it hurts.”
Nicole Amor, 39, was part of the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command, which ensures U.S. troops receive food, fuel, water, and ammunition. She had previously served in Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and had transferred from the National Guard to the Army Reserve in 2006. Amor’s service earned her numerous awards, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device.
Joey Amor shared that a week before the attack, Nicole had been moved to a shipping container-style building with no defenses. “They were dispersing because they feared the base would be attacked and felt safer in smaller groups,” he said. He last spoke to her just two hours before her death, exchanging messages about her long shifts and a minor fall the previous night. Tragically, she never responded that morning.
Beyond her military dedication, Nicole Amor was an avid gardener who loved making salsa with her teen son and enjoyed rollerblading and biking with her fourth-grade daughter. Joey Amor reflected on her generosity: “If you needed anything, she would just take care of it for you. She’s helped a lot of people through a lot of dark times, and brought a lot of light to this world.”
Nicole’s passing comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, following the U.S. and Israel’s campaign against Iran. The attack also claimed the lives of Capt. Cody Khork of Florida, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens of Nebraska, and Sgt. Declan Coady of Iowa.
Joey Amor, mourning his wife’s sudden death, has shared glimpses of their family life on social media. In a post last November, he wrote, “Even while you are on the other side of the world, you found a way to make my birthday special. I love you!”
Nicole Amor’s legacy as a loving wife, mother, and dedicated soldier lives on in the hearts of Joey Amor and their children, who are left to navigate life without her warm presence.