Iran kills Fort Carson Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, seventh U.S. service member in Iran war

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, has been identified as one of seven U.S. service members killed in the Iran war, the Colorado Sun reports.

“Kentucky soldier in Saudi Arabia is 7th US service member to die in Iran war Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined the grieving family of a Kentucky man who was the seventh U”

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Colorado Public Radio reports he died March 8, 2026, of wounds sustained during an attack on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj on March 1.

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The New York Post says he was killed last week in a retaliatory attack by Iran.

These accounts conflict on timing and cause: Colorado Public Radio gives March 1 for the attack and March 8, 2026 for his death from wounds, while the New York Post describes his death as occurring 'last week' in a retaliatory attack by Iran.

Pennington enlisted in 2017 and was assigned to Fort Carson's space-focused unit.

The Colorado Sun reports he was assigned to the First Space Battalion, First Space Brigade at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs and was trained as a 'space professional'.

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The New York Post likewise places him with the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Colorado Public Radio says he was deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Epic Fury and links that deployment to the mission where he was wounded.

Reports detail both the immediate strike and the wider exchanges framing it.

The New York Post links the attack to Iran’s response after Operation Epic Fury, reporting that "the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired missiles and drones at facilities including Prince Sultan Air Base on March 1."

Colorado Public Radio and The Colorado Sun confirm the March 1 attack at Prince Sultan and that Pennington's fatal wounds stemmed from that engagement.

All three outlets note his death as the seventh U.S. service member lost in the conflict with Iran.

Coverage emphasizes Pennington’s service record and recognition.

The Colorado Sun lists his decorations, noting he "received multiple awards, including three Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Medal."

The Colorado Sun

The New York Post echoes his enlistment and awards via DVIDS.

Colorado Public Radio situates those personal details within his deployment and the operational context that led to his wounds.

The Colorado Sun says U.S. Space Command officials issued condolences, honoring his sacrifice.

“An Army soldier based out of Fort Carson in Colorado Springs was identified as one of the seven U”

The Colorado Sun

The New York Post reports that Army official Dyer expressed condolences and vowed support for Pennington’s family, and that Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called him a hero.

ABC News

Colorado Public Radio notes the formal announcement of his death on March 9, marking him as the seventh U.S. service member killed in the war with Iran.