‘Genuine person’: Community remembers hometown soldier killed in Iran war
By Edward Smith
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GLENDALE, Kentucky (WLKY) — The impacts of war are hitting home for the community in Glendale, Kentucky, after one of their own was killed in the conflict with Iran.
Sunday morning, the small community slowly started to find out about the death of Sgt. Benjamin Pennington, who is from Glendale.
Pennington died on Sunday, succumbing to injuries sustained in a March 1 attack on U.S. troops at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson in Colorado.
In the summer of 2025, Pennington was assigned to the Space Battalion of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
The community of Glendale is remembering tonight for his dedication, skill and personality demonstrated both overseas and at home. Brother Michael Bell serves as the pastor of Glendale Christian Church, where Pennington grew up attending.
He says he remembers him for having a steady personality.
“He was a good, real, genuine person,” Bell said. “Ben was always a good young man. He came to the after-school program here, just a good person.”
The pastor has been supporting the family since Pennington was injured about a week ago. Bell says he’s been in contact with his dad every day last week. When the church community first found out about his injuries, they spent last Sunday holding a special prayer time for him, Bell says.
According to Bell, as recently as Saturday morning, Pennington’s condition was slightly improving. He says Pennington underwent surgery in Saudi Arabia and was supposed to undergo another one in Germany. But the pastor says his condition got worse on Saturday night.
Pennington attended Central Hardin High School. He graduated in 2017, but teachers like Tom Pitt still haven’t forgotten him. Pitt says he interacted with Pennington two hours a day, five days a week, his entire senior year.
“You don’t forget somebody like Ben Pennington. You just don’t,” Pitt said.
Throughout his time as a student, teachers remember Pennington for the effort he put into everything he did. He was an Eagle Scout. He also was a part of the school’s automotive technology program, where he represented the school in Skills USA.
“He was very good at anything I could give to him, anything I could, you know, put in front of him,” Pitt said. “Anything I put in front of him, he excelled at.”
Pitt says as far as he knew, all Pennington wanted to do was join the military. Pitt said joining the military excited him. Bell says the same thing, making the loss heartbreaking but not surprising for the community.
“We want the Penningtons to know that we hurt with them and that we stand with them and we’re very proud of their son,” Bell said.
Pennington has been recognized for his service, being awarded more than five medals along with multiple ribbons. He will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.
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