Soldier from Kentucky killed in conflict with Iran, Pentagon says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sgt. Benjamin Pennington died a week after injuries from attack at Prince Sultan AB.
- Enlisted in 2017 as a 92Y; assigned to 1st Space Battalion in 2025; multiple medals.
- His death made him the seventh U.S. soldier killed in the conflict, after over a week.
A soldier from Kentucky died Sunday, one week after suffering injuries as part of the U.S. conflict with Iran, according to the Department of Defense.
Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, of Glendale, died Sunday, was injured in an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to the department. Pennington was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, which is based in Fort Carson, Colo.
Glendale is an unincorporated community in Hardin County.
“Sgt. Pennington is a hero who sacrificed everything serving our country,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear wrote in a social media post. “Please join Britainy and me as we pray for his family and our fellow Kentuckians during this difficult time.”
Pennington, 26, enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 92Y, unit supply specialist in 2017. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, which is overseen by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, on June 10, 2025.
“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general, said in a news release. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved. That makes him nothing less than a hero, and he will always be remembered that way.”
Pennington’s unit is the Army’s sole space brigade. It has soldiers in six countries across the world and “manages space capabilities and personnel to ensure the joint force can effectively deploy, engage and triumph in high intensity, multidomain conflicts against any adversary,” according to its website.
The brigade has three battalions. Pennington’s battalion provides space combat power for Army and joint forces, according to the brigade’s website.
“The capabilities provided by the 1st Space Battalion play a critical role in the Army’s strategy to conduct combined arms warfare across all domains,” the brigade’s website says.
Pennington is the seventh U.S. solder who has died in the conflict with Iran, which has been ongoing for more than one week. The other six soldiers died in an Iranian missile strike at a civilian port in Kuwait one day after the war began.
Little is known about the attack at Prince Sultan Air Base. The Department of Defense said it’s under investigation.
Rep. Andy Barr, a candidate to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell in this year’s Republican primary, said he and “all of Kentucky” is mourning Pennington’s death.
“God bless him and all of the service members fighting to rid the world of a regime that is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the 21st Century,” Barr said on social media.
McConnell said he is praying for Pennington’s family and the soldiers still fighting in the Middle East.
“Sgt. Pennington’s death is an awful reminder of the costs of Tehran’s decadeslong war against American servicemembers,” McConnell said on social media. “A grateful nation honors his life and his service to our country as he paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending American freedom.”
Former Attorney General Daniel Cameron said he is praying for Pennington’s family.
“We owe a debt we can never fully repay to those who wear the uniform,” Cameron said on social media.
The other six soldiers who have died were members of the 103rd Sustainment Command out of Des Moines, Iowa. The command operates under the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, which is based in Fort Knox.
Pennington received the Army Commendation Medal three times and the Army Good Conduct Medal twice during his military career, according to the command. He also received the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Pennington was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, according to the command.
“Sgt. Pennington was a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty,” Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander, said in the news release. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and fellow Soldiers.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 11:35 AM.
