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First Name: Aaron

Last Name: Austin

Birthplace:

Gender: Male

Branch: Marines (present)



Home of Record: Sun Ray, TX
Middle Name: Cole



Date of Birth: 01 July 1982

Date of Death: 26 April 2004

Rank: Lance Corporal

Years Served:
Aaron Cole Austin

   
Engagements:
•  Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) (2003 - 2011)

Biography:

Aaron Cole Austin
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

On 26 April 2004, then-Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin was serving as Machine Gun Team Leader, Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II.

On 1100 hours that day, during Operation Vigilant Resolve, a numerically-superior enemy force attacked LCpl Austin’s platoon from 3 different directions. In the first 15 minutes of the attack, the enemy fired dozens of rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of machine gun rounds, and then assaulted to within 20 meters of LCpl Austin's position. While throwing grenades and spraying their positions with AK-47 fire, 16 of his fellow Marines on the rooftop position were wounded, some severely. After ensuring his wounded platoon members received medical treatment, LCpl Austin rallied the few remaining members of his platoon and rushed to the critical rooftop defensive position. Braving withering enemy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, LCpl Austin reached the rooftop and prepared to throw a hand grenade. As he moved into a position from which to throw his grenade, enemy machine gun fire struck LCpl Austin multiple times in the chest. Undaunted by his injuries and with heroic effort, LCpl Austin threw his grenade, which exploded amidst the enemy, halting their furious attack. LCpl Austin’s selfless, courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy as Machine Gun Team Leader, Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II on 26 April 2004. At 1100 on 26 April, a numerically superior enemy force attacked Lance Corporal Austin's platoon from three different directions. In the first 15 minutes of the attack, the enemy fired dozens of rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of machine gun rounds, and then assaulted to within 20 meters of Lance Corporal Austin's position. While throwing grenades and spraying their positions with AK-47 fire, 16 of his fellow Marines on the rooftop position were wounded, some severely. After ensuring his wounded platoon members received medical treatment, he rallied the few remaining members of his platoon and rushed to the critical rooftop defensive position. Braving withering enemy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, he reached the rooftop and prepared to throw a hand grenade. As he moved into a position from which to throw his grenade, enemy machine gun fire struck Lance Corporal Austin multiple times in the chest. Undaunted by his injuries and with heroic effort, Lance Corporal Austin threw his grenade, which exploded amidst the enemy, halting their furious attack. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Austin reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Lance Corporal Aaron Cole Austin is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Amarillo, Potter County, TX, in Field of Honor, Lot 3, Space 3.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8713182/aaron-cole-austin



Honoree ID: 4363   Created by: MHOH

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