Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington “led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty,“ his commander said

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington.Credit : U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)

A 26-year-old Kentucky soldier has been identified as the latest United States service member to be killed in the ongoing war with Iran.

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington died on Sunday, March 8, from wounds sustained one week earlier in an Iranian attack on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to a news release from the Army.

Pennington, an Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) soldier, was supporting Operation Epic Fury — the Pentagon’s name for the U.S. incursion against Iran — when he “was seriously injured” in the retaliatory attack on March 1, officials said.

The Army is investigating.

Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colo., on June 10, 2025, eight years after he first enlisted, in 2017.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general, said Pennington “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,” Gainey said. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

Col. Michael F. Dyer, the 1st Space Brigade commander, described Pennington as “a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”

“Our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends and fellow Soldiers,” Dyer said in a statement. “We remain dedicated to providing comfort and support at this time and will forever honor his legacy and ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

Pennington is being posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, according to the Army.

Six other American service members died in a separate drone strike in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1, according to the Pentagon.

The dead have since been identified as 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 Indianola, Iowa; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif.

Additionally, a New York City police officer and decorated Army National Guardsman died on Friday, March 6, at Camp Buehring in Kuwait while deployed to the area, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

Maj. Sorffly Davius, who served in the 42nd Infantry Division in the Army National Guard, according to a post on X shared by the NYPD, died following a “medical episode,” they said.

“Today, and always, we keep his family in our thoughts and prayers,” the police department said. “May we never forget Officer Davius’ sacrifice and may his memory be a blessing.”