Seventh US service member killed in war with Iran identified

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Anna BettsMarch 9, 2026 at 07:01 PM

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The Pentagon has identified Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, as the seventh US service member killed in the war with Iran. He died on Sunday from injuries sustained during an Iranian strike on the Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia on March 1st. Pennington was assigned to the first space battalion, first space brigade, Fort Carson, Colorado, which is part of the army space and missile defense command. He enlisted in 2017 as a unit supply specialist and had been assigned to his unit since June 2025. Pennington will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant and was honored by military officials for his service and sacrifice. Vice President JD Vance addressed the deaths of the service members at an event in Washington D.C.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

JD Vance 35% Glendale, Kentucky 40% Michael F Dyer 45% US Army Space and Missile Defense Command ×250% Sean A Gainey 55% US Central Command ×260% Saudi Arabia 65% Prince Sultan airbase 70% United States ×475% Pentagon ×280% Iran ×285% Benjamin N Pennington ×695%

Keywords

us service member killed 100% war with iran 90% sgt benjamin n pennington 80% iranian strike 70% us army space and missile defense command 60% prince sultan airbase 60% military death 50% posthumous promotion 40%