A wave of support is pouring in for the family of U.S. Army Capt. Cody Khork after the 35-year-old officer was killed in a drone strike during the early days of the escalating war involving Iran. Friends, neighbors, and strangers alike have rallied around his loved ones, raising more than $25,000 through an online fundraiser to help the family handle travel and funeral expenses as they grieve a sudden and painful loss.
The fundraiser, titled “Support for Captain Cody Khork’s Family,” was created after many people began asking how they could help the family during what organizers described as an unimaginable time. The campaign was launched by Hope Kay, who said the goal was to ease the financial burden on Khork’s mother, Donna, and other relatives as they prepare to bring the fallen soldier home and gather together from different parts of the country.
Capt. Khork was among six American service members killed on March 1 when a drone struck a U.S. military operations center at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait. The attack happened as American forces were supporting Operation Epic Fury, part of the broader military campaign connected to the growing conflict with Iran. The strike hit the facility suddenly, killing several troops and marking some of the first U.S. military deaths in the unfolding war.
Military officials said Khork was assigned to the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa. His work focused on logistics, helping ensure deployed troops received the supplies and support needed to carry out operations overseas. That role, often working behind the scenes, is critical in keeping military missions running smoothly.
Khork was originally from Winter Haven, Florida, and had built a career marked by steady service and dedication. Over the years, he had taken on different assignments and deployments, building a reputation among fellow soldiers as someone committed to both his mission and the people around him.
Back home, the loss has been deeply felt. The fundraiser description noted that Khork’s mother would never have asked for help herself, but friends convinced the family to allow the community to step in. The money raised will go toward travel costs not fully covered by the military, including bringing relatives from out of state to be with the family as they mourn.
Kay wrote that the response from the public has been overwhelming. Messages of sympathy and donations have continued to arrive as word spreads about the fallen captain. Supporters say the generosity reflects how deeply people appreciate the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
For Khork’s loved ones, the donations are about more than money. They represent a community standing beside them in one of the hardest moments of their lives, a reminder that the man they lost is remembered not just as a soldier, but as a son, a friend, and a life that mattered.
