Pentagon removes four service members from casualty list amid data discrepancy

The Defense Department’s online Defense Casualty Analysis System now lists 14 U.S. service members killed in the operation against Iran, down from 18 previously reported. The reduction reflects the removal of four names that had been added during the past week.

Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez told The New York Times the change resulted from “temporary data disruptions” and emphasized the department’s commitment to accurate casualty reporting. The Pentagon also referenced a statement posted on X by spokesperson Sean Parnell, which described the media coverage as “Fake News” and claimed the Times had received an off-the-record call explaining the data error.

Three military officials told the newspaper that the four deaths occurred after President Donald Trump announced a cease-fire in April, a truce that has not held. The deceased were identified as Army 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Hawaii; Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of New York; Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Texas; and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of North Carolina. Feehan, Gonzales and Rampersad died in Jordan during Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Swinton died in Iraq during a controlled explosion of an Iranian drone.

At a ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth observed the transfer of the flag-draped caskets. Hegseth later faced questioning from lawmakers about the war’s cost and earlier statements claiming a decisive victory, as the casualty figures continue to rise.

Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges said the episode illustrates the administration’s difficulty being transparent about the conflict, noting an “unwillingness or inability to aggressively learn from mistakes.”