Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Washington

PFC Aaron Fairbairn, KIA Afghanistan, July 4, 2009

PFC Aaron Fairbairn, KIA Afghanistan, July 4, 2009

The Department of Defense has confirmed what thousands of people on Twitter already knew. Aaron Fairbairn gave his life in the service of his country on July 4, 2009.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died July 4 at Combat Outpost Zerok, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked the outpost using small arms and indirect fires. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Killed were:

  • Pfc. Justin A. Casillas, 19, of Dunnigan, Calif.
  • Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Wash.

DoD

U.S Army soldiers survey a proposed site for a new observation post, Combat Outpost Zerok, in Afghanistan, July 11, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to Task Force Castle’s 420th Engineer Brigade.   U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Tomas Rofkahr

U.S Army soldiers survey a proposed site for a new observation post, Combat Outpost Zerok, in Afghanistan, July 11, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to Task Force Castle’s 420th Engineer Brigade. U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Tomas Rofkahr

“At first I didn’t believe it,” said Beau Beck, Fairbairn’s oldest brother, who learned about his brother’s death while he was coaching a Little League team.

“I talked to Aaron probably 12 hours prior to that,” Beck said from Dover. “The first thing that rushed to my mind is that he’s so young and such a good kid.”

His stepfather described him as joyous, honest and dependable, the kid everyone knew first as the paperboy, then as a local lot attendant or the guy who worked at Papa Murphy’s Pizza.

Fairbairn, a graduate of Aberdeen’s Weatherwax High, was an off-road enthusiast who loved riding dirt bikes and four-wheeling in his truck. He hadn’t yet decided what he wanted to do after the service but leaned toward mechanics.

Seattle Times


the attachments to this post:

U.S Army soldiers survey a proposed site for a new observation post, Combat Outpost Zerok, in Afghanistan, July 11, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to Task Force Castle’s 420th Engineer Brigade.   U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Tomas Rofkahr
combat-outpost-zerok

PFC Aaron Fairbairn, KIA Afghanistan, July 4, 2009
aaron-fairbairn-sm


4 Comments to “Pfc. Aaron E. Fairbairn, 20, of Aberdeen, Washington”

  1. [...] A Prayer Please For Samuel & Aaron Sunday Kathryn and I went to Evergreen Chapel on Ft.Lewis, WA for a memorial ceremony for SPC Samuel D. Stone, C Troop, 1st Squadron 303rd Cavalry. Our son Dan served with Samuel in C Troop. Samuel died in a vehicle accident 31 May 09. Dan also lost a very good friend Aaron E. Fairbairn who was killed by a homicide bomber in Afganistan 4 July 09. Young Dan now truly knows that the price of freedom is not free. God willing he will be home in early August. Prayers please for all who serve and for those who have given and continue to give their lives in the service of this nation. http://washingtonguard.org/fal…roes/SPC_Stone.shtml http://northshorejournal.org/p…-aberdeen-washington [...]

  2. SFC Dixon says:

    May God bring peace to you and your family, your sacrafice and your families sacrafice will never be in vain.
    SFC DIxon DP
    JSOC

  3. Patty says:

    I’m a best friend to his sister Sascha and know what they are going through. My boyfriend just died a month ago and was in the military. So I know how she is feeling and god bless them and prayers to their family.

  4. Jason A. Veal says:

    “Thank you Aaron”