An Army soldier based out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs was identified as one of the seven U.S. service members killed in the Iran war, military officials said Monday.
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Kentucky, died Sunday from injuries sustained during a March 1 attack on American troops stationed at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from the federal government.
Pennington was assigned to the First Space Battalion of the First Space Brigade, which is headquartered at Fort Carson. The battalion’s soldiers, trained as “space professionals,” support the U.S. Army’s strategy to “conduct combined arms warfare across all domains,” according to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
He enlisted in the Army in 2017 and was assigned to Fort Carson in June 2025, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command said. Pennington was a decorated soldier with awards including three Army commendation medals, an Army achievement medal, two Army good conduct medals, a National Defense Service medal, and a Global War on Terrorism medal.
“We mourn a life cut short and extend our heartfelt gratitude and sympathies to the family, friends, and community of Sgt. Pennington as we honor his ultimate sacrifice,” officials with the U.S. Space Command, said in a statement.
Col. Michael F. Dyer, First Space Brigade commander, remembered Pennington as a dedicated socialist who led “with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”
“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,” Dyer said in a statement.
Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, a commanding general at Space and Missile Defense Command, said in a statement that Pennigton gave the “ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved.”
“That makes him nothing less than a hero,” Gainey said, “and we will always be remembered that way.”
Seven U.S. service members have been killed since the war began Feb. 28. Six were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait.