Widow of US Airman Killed in Iran Conflict Reveals Benefits Mix-up Under Pete Hegseth

Libby Klinner, the widow of a US Air Force major killed during military operations against Iran, has revealed how confusion over combat benefits left her questioning whether her family had received everything her late husband was owed.

Klinner's dispute arose during Pete Hegseth's tenure as Secretary of Defense. The issue drew widespread attention online before the Air Force contacted her and acknowledged that his benefits had been incorrectly itemised.

Widow Told Husband's Death 'Did Not Count as War'

Klinner's husband, Major Alex Klinner, 33, was among six service members killed on March 12 when a KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq while supporting US operations against Iran.

Klinner told the Associated Press that an officer assigned to assist her following his death told her the family would not receive hazard pay or combat-related tax exclusions because, she says, he said 'we were not at war.'

'My husband lost his life because we're in a war,' she told the Associated Press. 'It all comes down to principle.'

The Air Force later contacted Klinner after her account circulated online and said her husband's benefits had been incorrectly itemised. Officials acknowledged that she had been given inaccurate information and confirmed that the combat-related pay and tax exclusions had been included.

Under Pentagon rules, hostile-fire and imminent-danger pay do not require a formal declaration of war, according to Department of Defense guidelines. Imminent Danger Pay can amount to $225 (£167) a month, depending on the circumstances and location of the service member.

No Gold Star Family Should 'Become Expert in Government Language'

Klinner said the experience was about more than the money, arguing that families who lose loved ones serving in the military should not have to decipher complicated government terminology while grieving.

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

She said families should receive straightforward explanations about their entitlements from the beginning. She argued that they should not have to publicly raise concerns before receiving clarification.

JD Vance Promises Help After Benefits Dispute

The issue also reached Vice President JD Vance, who was asked about Klinner's situation during a White House briefing after her post gained attention.

Vance said the administration would contact Klinner directly and make sure she received everything she was entitled to, offering support to the widow and her three children.

The controversy comes as the Trump administration has continued to avoid formally describing the military campaign against Iran as a declared war, despite US forces conducting combat operations in the region.

Major Alex Klinner Was Killed in KC-135 Crash

Klinner served as chief of Squadron Standardisations and Evaluations within the 99th Air Refuelling Squadron in Birmingham, Alabama. He entered the Air Force in 2017 and deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2026 for various missions.

During his service, he recorded 362 combat hours and 181 combat support hours in theatre. His decorations included the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Aerial Achievement Medal and Air and Space Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Klinner left behind his wife and three young children, including twins. His death was one of six fatalities in the KC-135 crash during operations against Iran.

The Air Force has since confirmed that Klinner's eligible combat-theatre benefits were included in his final pay. The dispute has raised wider questions about how military families are informed about their entitlements after a service member's death.