Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin
(U.S. Marine Corps – Operation Iraqi Freedom / Silver Star & Purple Heart Recipient)
Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin, known to his family and friends simply as Aaron, was a bright light — full of humor, energy, and love for life. To those who knew him best, he was the class clown, the one who could make anyone smile. Always talking, always laughing, and forever chewing on something — straws, pencils, keys, even his dog tags — his nickname became “The Chewing Boy.”
To his Marine brothers, though, he was known by a single word: Austin — a proud 0331 Machine Gunner, a “Guns Up Warrior” who carried both his weapon and his team’s morale with equal strength.
Aaron was loyal, fearless, and compassionate. He loved his family, friends, kids, and especially stood up for those who were often overlooked. He was engaged to be married, ready to begin a new chapter of life — but instead, he gave his own life in defense of his country and his brothers in arms.
On April 26, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq, Aaron’s platoon came under intense enemy fire, surrounded on three sides. In that moment of chaos and courage, he fought with extraordinary bravery, standing his ground to protect those around him. His actions that day earned him the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor in combat, and the Purple Heart for the sacrifice he made.
He also received the Presidential Unit Citation for his unit’s extraordinary heroism and deployed twice to Iraq in service of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His mother, Specialist De’on Austin Miller, often said that Aaron “died three times before the Lord took him” — a testament to his unrelenting warrior spirit and will to fight for others, even in his final moments.
Aaron Cole Austin will forever be remembered as a Marine, a son, a brother, and a hero who embodied the Marine Corps motto: Semper Fidelis — Always Faithful.
We honor Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin for his valor, his laughter, and his ultimate sacrifice for freedom. His courage lives on in the hearts of all who knew him and in the legacy of every warrior who follows in his footsteps.
