MIDLAND, MI, US
U.S. Navy
HN, 2ND MDIV FMF LNT
07/12/2011, NOW ZAD DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN
On July 12, 2011, while on foot patrol, Navy Seaman-Hospitalman Aaron D. Ullom died in the Now Zad district of Afghanistan while aiding a wounded soldier. HN Ullom was on a training mission with Afghan troops when they came under fire from insurgents. HN Ullom was part of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He and his unit were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Twenty year old Aaron Ullom was from Midland, Michigan. He graduated from Midland High School in 2009. He played football and was on the track team. Classmates remember him as a team play who could be counted on to do more than his fair share on group projects; and was certainly appreciative when group members contributed their parts to the effort. Aaron was pretty quiet, but was really well liked. He was serious about his school work; and some remember how much they enjoyed being assigned to work, or partner with Aaron. He was a smart, good student; and a young man who was respectful, polite and responsible. His caring, humorous nature was appreciated by many fellow students and school teachers and staff.
He would not hesitate to take those challenges when told it couldn’t be done and set off to prove you wrong. You probably would hear: “Watch me.” He was a hard-driven kid who if asked a question and he didn’t have an answer, he would go find an answer not matter how long it took, without regard for search difficulty. Before joining the Navy, he worked at the Genji Japanese Steakhouse in Midland from where his well-mannered and respectful presence was appreciated by restaurant staff and and management.
Aaron enjoyed music by A7X, Disturbed, Rascal Flats, Paramore, Alan Jackson, 3 Doors Down and others. He followed the Detroit Red Wings, NFL football, and the TV program Dr. House. He also enjoyed photography and his home state of Michigan.
Aaron earned Navy Medical Tech Corpsman certification on April 9, 2010 and was assigned at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He was on his first deployment to Afghanistan arriving in February 2011. Ullom’s awards include National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and NATO Medal—International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan
His memory will be safeguarded by his parents, his brothers, extended family and friends.