SAUK VILLAGE | A 19-year-old soldier from Sauk Village has died in Iraq, the Department of Defense said.

Army Pfc. Shane D. Penley died Sunday at a patrol base in Iraq from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post, officials said. Penley was a 2007 graduate of Bloom Trail High School and entered the Army in June, arriving at Fort Campbell, Ky. in October.

The military said the incident is under investigation.

Penley was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky.

David Penley of Sauk Village told NBC 5 Monday night that his son joined the military hoping to get ahead in life, with aspirations of eventually becoming a police officer.

The young soldier talked to his parents the night before he was killed, telling them he was looking forward to coming home on leave soon. He said he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, get married and start a family.

Dena Penley, Shane's mother, wears a necklace with a military dog tag on it.

"When he went to Fort Campbell where he was stationed, I bought this dog tag and told him I wouldn't take it off until he got home," she said through tears. "Now I guess I'm not going to take it off because he's not home yet."

As of Monday, at least 4,023 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes eight military civilians. At least 3,274 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.

Penley's awards and decorations include National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.

A memorial service will be held in Iraq. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony the second Wednesday of each month.

Kentucky's governor has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of Penley. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear say flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Penley's funeral.

-- NBC 5 contributed to this report.