Lakeland resident Ken Pennington, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, died Saturday at age 105.
Gary Clark, chairman of the Polk County Veterans Council, reported Pennington’s death.
Pennington enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1937, Clark wrote. Following basic training, he was assigned to the USS Decatur and then the aircraft carrier USS Ranger.
Pennington saw duty in the European theater in 1942 while based in Iceland, Clark wrote. The next year, he was assigned to a newly commissioned aircraft carrier, USS Princeton, and remained on board through nine major engagements in the Pacific.
The Princeton was scuttled after being severely damaged by a Japanese air attack during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. Pennington was one of 1,361 crewmen rescued, as 108 died in the attack.
The Navy promoted Pennington to warrant officer in 1944, and he was discharged at the end of World War II, Clark wrote. He re-enlisted in 1946 and was assigned as deck chief on the USS Midway aircraft carrier.
Pennington saw action during the Korean conflict aboard the USS Mount McKinley and remained in the Navy until his retirement in 1967, Clark wrote.