GLASGOW, MT, USA
U.S. Army
SSG, C COMPANY, 1ST BATTALION, 5TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP, FORT CAMPBELL, KY 42223
KHUTAYIAH, IRAQ 08/30/2004
Staff Sergeant Aaron Nathaniel Holleyman was born in Rankin County, Mississippi. He attended Clinton Mississippi Public Schools and graduated Glasgow High School in Montana. Aaron’s family lived in Glasgow from 1993-1997 while his father was a pastor there. Aaron was adored by his fellow classmates for his southern accent, polite and positive attitude.
Aaron enlisted in the Army in June 1996. After completing infantry and airborne training at Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., in November 1996 as a platoon armorer in the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After being selected for Special Forces training in 2000, he was assigned to Fort Bragg’s 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) in January 2001. Upon Completion of his training as an AF medical sergeant, he was then assigned to the 5th SFG in September 2003. Shortly after arriving at the unit, Aaron was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this mission, he was in a Humvee which was hit by a rocket. He broke both ear drums and was declared legally deaf in both ears.
In February 2004 he returned home and was fitted with hearing aids. He spent three months at home with his family and left for another tour of duty in July 2004. On August 30, 2004 Aaron was killed in Khutayiah, Iraq when his military vehicle hit an improved explosive device.
His awards include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, The Army Service Ribbon, The Combat Medical Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Drive and Mechanic Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Special Forces Tab. He was posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart and a second Bronze Star. He is survived by his three children, ages 5, 2 and 1 and his ex-wife, Gayla Holleyman of Fayetteville, N.C.