# Beshear Orders Flags to Half-Staff for Fallen Kentucky Soldier  
**Published:** 2026-03-26T16:06:42.000Z  
**Source:** [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2716)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-for-fallen-kentucky-soldier

LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Governor Andy Beshear ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff Friday, March 27, in honor of a Kentucky soldier who died while supporting Operation Epic Fury](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2716), according to a statement from the governor's office.

[Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, died March 8 from injuries sustained during an enemy attack on March 1 at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-in-honor-of-ky-soldier-killed-in-operation-epic-fury). He was assigned to 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Pennington was a graduate of Central Hardin High School, where he had been recognized for his work in the automotive technology program. [Governor Beshear called Pennington a "hero who sacrificed everything serving our country" in a post on social media](https://www.wave3.com/2026/03/09/kentucky-soldier-killed-action-operation-epic-fury/).

[Flags will be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Friday, March 27](https://www.wsiltv.com/news/kentucky/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-friday-to-honor-fallen-kentucky-soldier/article_7f0b1a8b-4542-5b8a-bf0e-558f336c856a.html). [Inurnment of Pennington's remains at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff will take place in a private ceremony Friday](https://wsipam.com/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-fridayin-honor-of-kentucky-soldier/), and a memorial service was previously held at Central Hardin High School.

[Individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth are encouraged to join in this tribute](https://www.wsiltv.com/news/kentucky/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-friday-to-honor-fallen-kentucky-soldier/article_7f0b1a8b-4542-5b8a-bf0e-558f336c856a.html). Pennington was posthumously promoted to the rank of staff sergeant, recognizing his service and dedication to his unit.

## Sources

- [Office of the Governor](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2716)
- [Sgt. Pennington's death details and identification](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-in-honor-of-ky-soldier-killed-in-operation-epic-fury)
- [Governor's tribute to Pennington](https://www.wave3.com/2026/03/09/kentucky-soldier-killed-action-operation-epic-fury/)
- [Flag half-staff details and funeral information](https://wsipam.com/gov-beshear-orders-flags-to-half-staff-fridayin-honor-of-kentucky-soldier/)

---

This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Office of the Governor, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=2716.