He was only 20 years old.

He had a family waiting for him, a college education he was pursuing, a military career he was building — and a 21st birthday just two months away.

Sgt. Declan J. Coady had so much life ahead of him.

The Iowa native joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2023 while studying information systems, cybersecurity and computer science at Drake University. He dreamed of becoming an Army officer and was determined to build a future through both education and military service.

But to his family, Declan was never defined by his uniform.

He was the boy who grew up camping and hiking with his siblings. He became an Eagle Scout, earned dozens of merit badges and was remembered for his intelligence, kindness and willingness to help others.

Even while deployed to Kuwait, Declan continued taking college classes online.

He stayed in touch with his family whenever he could. His loved ones said he was proud of his service and had recently been recommended for promotion to sergeant.

Then, on March 1, everything changed.

Declan was among six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in a drone attack at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait.

For his family, the most painful part was knowing that the young man they were waiting to bring home would never return.

His sister Keira later struggled through tears while remembering her little brother. She described him as someone who was deeply kind and brought so much happiness to the people around him.

His father, Andrew, was left grieving a son who still had dreams to chase and years of life he was supposed to live.

Declan’s promotion to sergeant came after his death.

It was a recognition of the dedication he had shown — but for his family, no title could fill the empty space he left behind.

There would be no 21st birthday celebration.

No return home.

No chance to see the future he had been working so hard to build.

Instead, his family was left with photographs, memories and the words of a young man they loved deeply.

Declan was a soldier.

But before anything else, he was someone’s son, someone’s brother and someone’s best friend.

And at only 20 years old, he left behind a life that had barely begun — but a memory his family says they will carry forever.