Flags across Nebraska were lowered to half-staff this week as the state honored a Bellevue Army Reserve soldier killed in a drone attack overseas.
Governor Jim Pillen ordered the tribute following the death of Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, who was among six service members killed Sunday when a drone struck a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The attack occurred during a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iran. Tietjens was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines.
Tietjens graduated from Bellevue West High School in 2001 before joining the military. Bellevue Public Schools released a statement expressing condolences to his family and loved ones, noting the district’s strong ties to the military community due to the nearby Offutt Air Force Base.
School officials said they remain inspired by the dedication and sacrifice shown by service members and their families, adding that they are honored to educate and support students from military families.
Friends and community members are remembering Tietjens as a hardworking and loyal person. Weston Herrera of Omaha, who became friends with Tietjens during high school, said they were part of a close group of friends who spent time together after school and often gathered at a local diner. Herrera recalled that Tietjens was the first among their friends to get his driver’s license and was always willing to help others with a ride.
After graduating, the two shared apartments in Bellevue and developed a shared interest in bowling while living near a bowling alley. Herrera described Tietjens as a dedicated worker who often held multiple jobs and worked tirelessly to provide for his family.
Tietjens enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2006 as a wheeled vehicle mechanic and previously served deployments to Kuwait in 2009 and 2019. During his military career, he earned several honors, including the Army Commendation Medal.
He lived in Bellevue with his wife and son.
State Senator Rita Sanders of Bellevue honored Tietjens during a legislative session Wednesday, describing him as a man who embodied the values of honor, discipline, and service both in the military and in his community. Sanders also noted that Tietjens taught taekwondo at a Bellevue studio and held a black belt, serving as a mentor to many students and fellow soldiers.
The Nebraska Legislature paused for a moment of silence in his memory.
Martial Arts International in Bellevue, where Tietjens trained and taught, plans to hold a candlelight ceremony Thursday evening in his honor. The academy said Tietjens, known to many students as “Mr. Noah,” lived by the principles of martial arts and carried that same character in his service as a soldier.
“He led with integrity, trained with purpose, and taught with humility,” the academy said in a statement.
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