1st Space Brigade honors the life of Staff Sergeant, killed in Operation Epic Fury

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A memorial was held Thursday morning honoring the life of Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, 1st Space Brigade, who died from injuries sustained from an Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia.

The Department of War confirmed that 26-year-old Pennington died on March 8 from injuries he sustained a week before. He was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion within the 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, United States Army, and Missile Defense Command on June 10, 2025.

Prior to that, Pennington, a resident of Glendale, Kentucky, enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 92Y, unit supply specialist, in 2017.

At today's memorial service, hundreds of people came out to honor his service. There was a long line of military personnel waiting to get into the chapel. Inside the chapel, a slideshow of pictures was shown to everyone, recalling various moments of Pennington's life.

"It was a beautiful ceremony, just a testament to his legacy that he is leaving behind," said Army Captain Alicia Hall. "He was full of life, was adventurous and had an unbreakable spirit," Hall said.

Pennington’s awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Korea Defense Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

Pennington was promotable and will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant, according to the Army. He would have turned 27 years old on April 10th.

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