Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Ky., was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade in Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S. Army)
The Pentagon on Monday announced the identity of a soldier who died Sunday following an Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia.
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Ky., died from injuries sustained during an enemy attack on March 1, 2026, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Pennington was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, at Fort Carson, Colo. The incident is under investigation, according to the Pentagon’s statement.
Pennington enlisted in the U.S. Army as a unit supply specialist in 2017. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, on June 10, 2025.
“Sgt. Pennington was a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and a sense of duty,” Col. Michael F. Dyer, 1st Space Brigade commander, said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and fellow Soldiers. We remain dedicated to providing comfort and support at this time and will forever honor his legacy and ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”
Some of Pennington’s awards include three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.
“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” said Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, the USASMDC commanding general. “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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, the Army said in a statement.
The U.S. and Israel launched extensive strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 after months of stalled negotiations over the country’s nuclear program. President Donald Trump later that night announced the operation had resulted in the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader. In addition to the strikes on Iran, Israel has attacked the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon.
Pennington is the seventh U.S. service member to die in combat as part of Operation Epic Fury.
The soldiers who died in the fight previously include: Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa; Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif.
Trump on Saturday joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of the six soldiers killed in the war in the Middle East.
A New York City police officer serving in Kuwait with the Army National Guard died Friday from a medical issue. Maj. Sorffly Davius was deployed to Camp Buehring in Kuwait when the medical incident occurred, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement late Saturday.
