The Pentagon has identified Army Sgt Benjamin N Pennington as the seventh U.S. service member killed in the war with Iran. According to multiple reports, the 26-year-old from Glendale, Kentucky, died on Sunday from injuries sustained during an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia on March 1.
Key Takeaways
The Pentagon has identified Army Sgt Benjamin N Pennington as the seventh U.S. service member killed in the war with Iran. He died from injuries sustained during an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia on March 1.
- Seventh U.S. soldier killed in action since conflict began
- Pennington was assigned to the first space battalion, part of the army space and missile defense command
- Pentagon officials honor his service and sacrifice
- Vice President Vance calls for prayers for fallen soldiers and their families
The incident remains under investigation. Pennington was assigned to the first space battalion, first space brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado. The brigade is part of the army space and missile defense command.
Lt Gen Sean A Gainey, USASMDC commanding general said that "He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved." Col Michael F Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander described Pennington as a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.
Pennington enlisted in the US army as a unit supply specialist in 2017. He was assigned to the first space battalion on June 10, 2025. His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal among others. Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
On Monday, Vice President JD Vance addressed the deaths of US service members at a conference in Washington DC. "I just want to say that if you are the praying type, and I certainly am, I hope you’ll spare a prayer for the six souls that we lost, for the seventh soul who will be coming home tonight, and for all of their families," Vance said.
This is the seventh US service member killed in action since last Saturday when the US and Israel launched military campaign against Iran. The other six were identified as Capt Cody A Khork, Sgt first class Nicole M Amor, Sgt Declan J Coady, Sgt first class Noah L Tietjens, Maj Jeffrey R O’Brien, and Chief warrant officer 3 Robert M Marzan.
They had all been assigned to the 103rd sustainment command in Des Moines, Iowa. They were killed on March 1 during an unmanned aircraft system attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait according to the military. The incident remains under investigation.
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