Staff Sgt. Benjamin "Ben" Noah Pennigton

Staff Sgt. Benjamin "Ben" Noah Pennington Obituary

Staff Sgt. Benjamin "Ben" Noah Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, passed away on March 8, 2026 at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, succumbing to injuries sustained in Operation Epic Fury. 

Ben's dream and life calling from an early age was to be an American soldier. Everyone who knew Ben well knew he was destined to be an Army man, and there was no convincing him otherwise.

As a young kid, Ben grew up playing Army outside with neighbors and friends. He loved watching the Military Channel and reading books about the military. His childhood room was decorated with Army prints and had military planes hanging from the ceiling.

As a teenager, Ben enjoyed running on Central Hardin's cross country and track and field teams, but dedicated the majority of his time to the Boy Scouts, where he would meet all his best friends and eventually earn the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout.

Ben's experience as an Eagle Scout set him apart as he enlisted in the Army at age 18. He spent much of his career stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana and served a tour in Korea before landing at his final assignment at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.

Outside of his service, Ben embraced life fully. He enjoyed going to Major League Baseball games and had a goal to see a game in every MLB stadium. His favorite sports teams were the University of Tennessee, the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago White Sox. Being a Kentuckian, Ben naturally became a bourbon connoisseur, and was working on his bourbon collection the past few years. He enjoyed going to bourbon distilleries in Kentucky with his family while on leave for the holidays.

Ben was a jack-of-all-trades and a hobbyist. While stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado, Ben fell in love with the scenic nature of the state. He had the opportunity to hike multiple 14ers and began to enjoy snowboarding and skiing with his best friend, while also spending a lot of his money and time at REI.

Most importantly, after growing up at Glendale Christian Church, Ben reconnected with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was called to be baptized in January 2026 at Zeal Church in Colorado Springs.

He was preceded in death by his role model and biggest fan, Grandfather Roy Tevis "Tib" Congleton.

Ben is survived by his loving parents, Tim and Carrie Pennington; his big sister, Mackenzie; Grandmother Donna Congleton; Uncle Kevin & Aunt Lucy Anderson, cousins Callie & Seth; Grandparents Estus & Earlene Pennington; Uncle Layne & Aunt Keisha Boyce, cousin Layla (Ethan) Watkins and many more honorary aunts and uncles, cousins, family, and friends.

While Ben's life was short, he lived his life to the fullest... servant-hearted and in sacrifice to others. Not everyone can say they found their calling and lived out their dream, but Ben Pennington did.

Services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Central Hardin High School.

Cremation will follow with inurnment in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery – Central.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the school.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the SSGT Benjamin Pennington Dream Fund, https://ckcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5158

To express an online condolence and to light a candle of remembrance please visit, www.trowbridgefh.com.

Trowbridge Funeral Home in Elizabethtown has been entrusted with the arrangements.