The body of Army Pfc. Shane D. Penley was brought home Monday, and a flag will be flown at half-staff today in Springfield in honor of the 19-year-old Sauk Village soldier.

Penley, a 2007 graduate of Bloom Trail High School in Steger, died April 6 at a patrol base in Iraq from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post.

Penley's body was escorted by local police departments and the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group Monday from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport through Sauk Village. His body then was taken to Bocken Funeral Home in Hammond, where a visitation is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A military presentation is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church, 473 Sibley Blvd. in Hammond.

At the request of state Rep. George Scully, D-Flossmoor, Secretary of State Jesse White's office agreed to fly a flag at half-staff Tuesday in Springfield in Penley's honor.

Penley had been assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he arrived in October after entering the Army about four months earlier.

The youngest of four children, and the only son of David and Dena Penley, Shane Penley was a member of First Baptist Church in Hammond and had dreams of becoming a police officer after his military service.

Penley was dispatched to Iraq on Dec. 29 after joining the Army in June.