Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington Identified as 7th U.S. Soldier Killed in Iran War
The Pentagon identifies Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, 26, of Kentucky, as the 7th U.S. casualty in the war with Iran. Pennington died from injuries sustained during a March 1 strike in Saudi Arabia.
The Department of Defense has officially identified Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, as the seventh American service member to be killed during the ongoing military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury.
Sgt. Pennington, a resident of Glendale, Kentucky, died on Sunday, March 8, from wounds sustained during an Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, based at Fort Carson, Colorado—a unit integral to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
Stationed at a strategic radar site, Sgt. Pennington was part of a critical early-warning team supporting regional missile defense systems. His unit's role has been vital in intercepting the hundreds of retaliatory projectiles launched by the Iranian regime since the start of the conflict on February 28.
"Sgt. Pennington was a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength and a profound sense of duty," said Col. Michael F. Dyer, commander of the 1st Space Brigade. "He made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our nation and its allies from atmospheric threats. We will forever honor his legacy."
Pennington's death brings the total number of American fatalities in the 10-day conflict to seven. The previous six service members, all members of an Army Reserve sustainment unit from Iowa—were killed during a drone strike on a port facility in Kuwait during the initial hours of the war.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued a statement Monday morning, calling Pennington a "hero who sacrificed everything" and asking Kentuckians to pray for the sergeant's family. The Pentagon announced that Pennington will be posthumously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
As Operation Epic Fury continues, the U.S. military has intensified strikes against Iranian launch sites to prevent further casualties among the thousands of American troops stationed across the Middle East.