Vance pays tribute as seventh US troop killed in Iran conflict is identified

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President JD Vance said on Monday he was honored to witness the dignified transfer of American service members killed in the escalating conflict with Iran, describing the ceremony as a deeply moving experience.

Speaking to a gathering of firefighters in Washington, Vance urged Americans to keep the fallen troops in their prayers. “I’d never done that before, and a lot of you served our nation in uniform,” Vance said.

 “I know a number of our firefighters all across our country. And I just want to say that if you are the praying type, and I certainly am, I hope you’ll spare a prayer for the six souls that we lost, for the seventh soul who will be coming home tonight.”

Pentagon identifies seventh service member killed

The Pentagon said on Sunday that a US service member died from injuries sustained in an attack last week in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of American troops killed in the conflict with Iran to seven.

The Army later identified the soldier as 26-year-old Army Sgt Benjamin Pennington of Glendale, Kentucky.

Pennington died on Sunday after being injured a week earlier at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the military said. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, part of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

Donald and Melania Trump attend a casualty return for the soldiers who were killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the US and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Commanders praise Pennington’s service

Col Michael Dyer, Pennington’s brigade commander, described him as a dedicated leader who served with professionalism and a strong sense of duty.

“Sergeant Pennington was a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism, and sense of duty,” Dyer said in a statement Monday.

“Our deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and fellow soldiers. We remain dedicated to providing comfort and support at this time and will forever honor his legacy and ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”

Donald Trump, Steve Witkoff, and Melania Trump stand at attention as a US Army carry team transfers the flag-draped remains of Maj Jeffery O’Brien at Dover Air Force Base on March 7, 2026 ( Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

Soldier to be promoted posthumously

Pennington enlisted in the Army in 2017 as a unit supply specialist, according to service records. 

His military decorations include three Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal and two Army Good Conduct Medals. The Army said he will be posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

A US official said that as of Sunday, nine additional American service members remained seriously wounded, a classification used by the military to indicate injuries severe enough to put their lives at risk.

The casualties come as tensions in the region remain high following recent attacks linked to the broader conflict involving Iran and US forces in the Middle East.