₦airaland Forum

The families of US soldiers who have died in the US-Israeli war against Iran are battling to ensure they receive appropriate pay and benefits for their loved ones.

Libby Klinner, a widow, wrote on social media that the US air force had deemed her ineligible for additional benefits following the death of Major Alex Klinner, her 33-year-old husband, because Congress had not officially declared war.

He was one of six crew members of a KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq in March while supporting US strikes against Iran.

Since the Iran war began more than six months ago, 18 US service members have been killed and 780 wounded.

“My husband lost his life because we’re in a war – and then I was told that because it’s not technically a war, we lose out on something,” Ms Klinner told the Associated Press. “It all comes down to principle.”

After she expressed her frustration in an online post that went viral, the US air force clarified that his final pay cheque included hazard pay and combat-related tax breaks.

US officials also acknowledged that they had initially provided inaccurate information, and that her husband’s last pay cheque had included – but incorrectly itemised – “combat pay”, which amounts to $225 a month, and was not conditioned on a formal war declaration.

“What this experience made clear to me is how difficult it can be for a grieving family to navigate classifications, terminology and government processes at the very moment we are least equipped to do so,” Ms Klinner said in a statement.

“No Gold Star family should have to become an expert in government language to understand what they are entitled to. Alex understood the risks that came with his service, and he trusted that if the worst happened, his family would be taken care of.”

US service members gain or lose eligibility for various payments depending on a range of factors, such as deployment and duty location. In practice, that means their pay cheques can change many times each year, which leads to confusion or errors.

“I want the conversation to focus on making sure every family facing an unimaginable loss has that same clarity from the start,” said Ms Klinner. “Getting this right for the families left behind isn’t a footnote – it’s part of how we honour the service and sacrifice of those we lost.”

JD Vance, the US vice president, was asked about her case at a White House briefing on Thursday.

“We want to be as helpful as we can and ensure she gets everything that she is entitled to,” he said. “My message to her would be, ‘We love you, we’re grateful for the sacrifice and we very much take very seriously our commitment to get you what you need to get.’”

In response to another question, Mr Vance rejected using the word “war” to characterise US operations in Iran, saying there was “no active shooting”.

Although Donald Trump, the US president, has repeatedly called US military operations against Iran a war, he backed Mr Vanceon Friday, saying US strikes were “intermittent”.

He said “A lot of people don’t call it a war. I call it a military conflict, because it’s small potatoes for us.”

Families of US service members have also accused the Pentagon of downplaying the extent of injuries sustained and claimed they were not being treated by the military as combat casualties – claims the US army has denied.

The military has generally been slow to disclose the extent of injuries, as US Central Command is not required to release such information, especially if personnel return to duty shortly afterwards.

Mr Trump has met some of the immediate family members of American soldiers killed in action, such as the parents of Lt Tyler James Feehan, 25.

“He talked to me as a mother who lost her son,” said Shari Feehan, Lt Feehan’s mother. “He saw the devastation. He witnessed that, and so he knows.”

MrEar:
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/pentagon-refused-payout-soldiers-died-in-iran-war/

HacheNoire:
According to reports, it’s not a war, so they deserve no payout!


The stupidity of Trump locked them into situation?

Congress declares war and Trump said it’s not a war.

In Nigeria terms, they are missing spanners!

MightySparrow:
This is senseless, how can the military disobey the commander - in - chief because of the congress not declaring war?

QuinQ:
Did you read this below? He was indeed paid!

QuinQ:
Did you read this below? He was indeed paid!

Firstorderwizard:
Women and cash out. The money is the interest here not any concern for the poor fallen major

HacheNoire:
According to reports, it’s not a war, so they deserve no payout!


The stupidity of Trump locked them into situation?

Congress declares war and Trump said it’s not a war.

In Nigeria terms, they are missing spanners!

MightySparrow:
This is senseless, how can the military disobey the commander - in - chief because of the congress not declaring war?

Military disobeyed the commander-in-chief? No vex, na the same article we follow read ?

MrEar:
My husband lost his life because we’re in a war – and then I was told that because it’s not technically a war, we lose out on something

Eya sorry. Don't worry madam.

They will not give you that money but Pentagon will do what they do best, pay millions of dollars to a Hollywood Director to make a movie of your husband killing 168 school girls, sorry, 168 soldiers in Iran and coming home a hero.

That should make you happy.

“I want the conversation to focus on making sure every family facing an unimaginable loss has that same clarity from the start. Getting this right for the families left behind isn’t a footnote – it’s part of how we honour the service and sacrifice of those we lost.”

“A lot of people don’t call it a war. I call it a military conflict, because it’s small potatoes for us.”

11doubledee:
We don hear you oya tell how much Iran has compensated the families of their lost soldiers with

MrEar:
My husband lost his life because we’re in a war – and then I was told that because it’s not technically a war, we lose out on something

Eya sorry. Don't worry madam.

They will not give you that money but Pentagon will do what they do best, pay millions of dollars to a Hollywood Director to make a movie of your husband killing 168 school girls, sorry, 168 soldiers in Iran and coming home a hero.

That should make you happy.