Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, a 39-year-old mother of two from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, was killed by a drone strike in Kuwait just days before she was due to return home. The attack also killed five other U.S. service members. Her husband, Joey Amor, said, “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.”
Amor served in the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit that provides food, fuel, water and ammunition to U.S. forces. She had deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in 2019 and had transferred from the National Guard to the Army Reserve in 2006. Her awards included the Army Commendation Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with an “M” device.
Joey Amor said that about a week before the strike Nicole had been moved into a shipping container-style building with no defenses after forces dispersed to reduce risk. He last spoke with her roughly two hours before the attack. They had exchanged messages about long shifts and a minor fall the night before; she did not respond that morning.
At home, Nicole enjoyed gardening, making salsa with her teenage son, and rollerblading and biking with her fourth-grade daughter. Joey remembered 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.” He has shared memories of their family life on social media, including a post from last November: “Even while you are on the other side of the world, you found a way to make my birthday special. I love you!”
Her death occurred amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli operations related to Iran. The strike also killed Capt. Cody Khork of Florida, Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens of Nebraska, and Sgt. Declan Coady of Iowa, among others.
Nicole Amor is remembered by her husband and children as a devoted wife, loving mother and dedicated soldier. Her family and community now face life without her, and her legacy of care and service endures in the memories and stories they share.