ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky man who joined the Army straight out of highschool is the seventh U.S. service member to die in fight through the Iran struggle, the Pentagon introduced Monday.
Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, died Sunday after being wounded throughout a March 1 assault on the Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, a Pentagon assertion stated.
Mike Bell, retired pastor of Glendale Christian Church, stated he’d identified Pennington since he was a toddler and acquired a name from Pennington’s father when the soldier was harm.
“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little bit higher, they usually had been speaking about possibly transferring him to Germany,” Bell stated. However he stated Tim Pennington referred to as once more that night to ask for prayers as his son’s situation was worsening, after which later advised him the soldier had succumbed to his accidents.
“He was only a quiet particular person,” stated Bell, noting that Pennington attended the church’s after-school program. “I imply, he by no means attracted consideration as a result of he was simply regular doing what he wanted to do to do it. Does that make sense?”
Pennington was assigned to the first Area Battalion, 1st Area Brigade of the U.S. Army Area and Missile Protection Command based mostly at Fort Carson, Colorado.
The unit’s mission targeted on “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite tv for pc communications” based on their web site.
“This simply breaks my coronary heart,” Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County, the place Pennington was from, stated in a written assertion emailed to The Related Press. “I’ve identified the household for a minimum of 30 years. I can’t think about the ache and struggling they’re experiencing. To lose a single service member is only a devastating blow. However when it’s considered one of our personal, we grieve as a neighborhood.”
Glendale is an unincorporated city of about 300 residents south of the Hardin County seat of Elizabethtown.
In a press release posted on social media, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear referred to as Pennington “a hero who sacrificed every part serving our nation.”
The opposite six service members killed for the reason that battle started on Feb. 28 had been Army reservists killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone struck an operations heart at a civilian port.
President Donald Trump on Saturday had joined grieving households at Dover Air Power Base on the dignified switch for these six U.S. troopers.
The dignified switch, a ritual that returns the stays of U.S. service members killed in motion, is taken into account one of the somber duties of any commander in chief. Throughout his first time period, Trump stated bearing witness to the switch was “the hardest factor I’ve to do” as president.
Pennington graduated in 2017 from Central Hardin Excessive College, the place he was enrolled within the automotive know-how pathway, district spokesman John Wright advised the AP. Former automotive tech teacher Tom Pitt, who taught Pennington in 2017 at Hardin County Early School and Profession Middle, referred to as him “an American hero.”
“A variety of instances as a trainer, you will have college students who’re good, you will have college students who’re charismatic, who’re likable, dare I say, enchanting,” stated Pitt, who added that Pennington — whom he referred to as Nate — was a Boy Scout. “Hardly ever do you will have college students who’re all of these. And Ben Pennington was all of these. He was principally the quintessential all-American.”
Pennington enlisted that 12 months as a unit provide specialist, and was assigned to the area and missile command on June 10, 2025, the Army stated in a launch.
Amongst his awards and decorations had been the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Nationwide Protection Service Medal, World Struggle on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
“The U.S. Army Area and Missile Protection Command is deeply saddened by the lack of Sgt. Pennington,” stated Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding normal. “He gave the final word sacrifice for the nation he cherished. That makes him nothing lower than a hero, and he’ll at all times be remembered that method. We prolong our heartfelt condolences to his household and pals.”
Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Area Brigade commander, described Pennington as “a devoted and skilled noncommissioned officer who led with energy, professionalism and sense of obligation.”
Pennington shall be posthumously promoted to employees sergeant, the Pentagon stated.
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Related Press reporters Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.
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