The heart-wrenching story of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, has emerged after she tragically lost her life in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait on Sunday. The mother of two was just days away from returning home to her family, including her husband Joey Amor, and their two children.
Amor was one of six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in the attack. The soldiers, who were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, were providing critical services such as food, fuel, water, ammunition, and transport equipment. Amor’s tragic death marked a devastating moment in the escalating conflict with Iran.
A Final Message
Her husband, Joey Amor, spoke with The Associated Press, revealing the emotional conversation he had with his wife just hours before she was killed. “Saturday, February 28, at 4 a.m., we woke up to a text from Declan saying he was safe,” Joey recalls. “At the time, none of us fully understood what had started happening. However, throughout the rest of the day we received updates from Declan saying he was safe.”
The final conversation took place the day before the drone attack, when Nicole mentioned having tripped and fallen, and the two laughed about it. However, the fun and lighthearted messages abruptly stopped after that. “She just never responded in the morning,” Joey said, explaining the unsettling silence that followed. The last message that he had received from her carried a tone that seemed serious. As he stared at the screen, Joey instinctively knew that something had changed.
Hours later, the devastating knock at the door confirmed their worst fears. “At 8 p.m., as we were getting ready to go to bed, the doorbell rang, and the rest of that night will forever be one of the worst nights of our lives. While it’s all blurry, we all knew what the doorbell meant,” he recalled.
A Community Mourns
Nicole was a dedicated Army Reserve soldier who loved gardening and enjoyed spending time with her family, particularly rollerblading and bicycling with her fourth-grade daughter. A week before the attack, she had been moved to a shipping container-style building with no defenses as a precautionary measure due to fears of an attack. Despite working long shifts and enduring tough conditions, she remained hopeful and determined to return home to her loved ones.
Joey recalled their last phone call: “We were joking around. I just never got another response from her.”
Nicole Amor’s loss has deeply affected her hometown of White Bear Lake, where community members have come together to mourn the loss of one of their own. “It’s so sad,” said Carey Bell, a local resident. “You see some people, and you get a tear in your eye when you talk about it.”
Honoring Her Memory
The city has requested flags be flown at half-staff in honor of Nicole’s service. White Bear Lake Mayor Mary Nicklawske shared her condolences, stating: “Our community is deeply saddened by the loss of Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, who gave her life in service to our nation. As a devoted wife, mother, and neighbor, her absence will be felt by all who knew her. Her memory will be honored by our city and never forgotten.”
At a Pentagon briefing, General Dan Caine read her name aloud as part of the solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, offering condolences to their families.
Nicole’s family, friends, and the entire community will continue to remember her unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and the love she shared with everyone around her. As we honor her memory, we are reminded of the bravery and commitment that soldiers like Nicole embody, and the price they pay in the service of their country.
