Click play to listen to this article.

War came home to the Commonwealth this week. Twenty-six-year-old Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale in Hardin County died of his wounds on Sunday, as a result of injuries he sustained during an Iranian attack at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to the Pentagon.

The community is mourning, and Pennington came from a good family, was very service-minded and always wanted to be a soldier, said Hardin County Judge Executive Keith Taul.

Image

"I've communicated with the father, Tim Pennington," he said. "I've known him for over 30 years. They are heartbroken."

The dignified transfer for Pennington’s return to the United States took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday. Vice President J.D. Vance joined Pennington’s family for the transfer.

The military reports six other soldiers have been killed and 140 soldiers have been injured, at least eight seriously.

Taul said the community will continue to pay tribute, and American flags in Hardin County are lowered to half-staff this week. He said the county flag will be taken down and given to the family.

"Just trying to find ways to help honor him," he said. "He's obviously given the ultimate price. And he's – he's a hero in our eyes."

Pennington was assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command based at Fort Carson, Colorado. In a statement posted on social media, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called Pennington a "hero who sacrificed everything serving our country.”