Staff Sgt. Aaron N. Holleyman

Staff Sgt

Aaron N. Holleyman

Special Forces

Medical Sergeant

Operational Detachment

A 531

Company C

1st Battalion

5th Special Forces Group

(Airborne)

Staff Sgt. Aaron N. Holleyman, a Special Forces Medical Sergeant on ODA 531, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Fort Campbell, Ky. was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Aug. 30, 2004, near Khutayiah, Iraq, when his four-Humvee convoy was traveling down a dry riverbed Monday and an explosive device detonated near his Humvee. Three other Soldiers with ODA 531 on the patrol were wounded by the blast and later returned to duty.

Holleyman enlisted in the Army in June 1996 as an infantryman.

After completing Infantry and

Airborne Training at

Fort Benning, Ga.,

in November 1996 he was assigned as a

Platoon Armorer to the

1st Battalion, 505th Parachute

Infantry Regiment.

82nd Airborne Division

Fort Bragg, N.C.

After being selected for

Special Forces training in 2000

Holleyman was assigned to Fort Bragg’s

1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne)

in January 2001

Upon completion of his training as an

Special Forces Medical Sergeant,

he was assigned to the

5th SFG in September 2003.

Shortly after arriving at Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Ky. as Medical Sergeant on ODA 531.

Staff Sgt. Holleyman deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in October 2003 and had his first brush with danger a month later, when a roadside explosive device fashioned from a rocket hit his Humvee on a patrol. The detonation broke Holleyman's eardrums and seriously wounded another soldier. Upon his return home in February 2004, doctors determined that Holleyman was legally deaf and fitted him with hearing aids. the father of three returned to Iraq for his second tour July 12. .

After spending time with his family, Staff Sgt. Holleyman deployed for a second time to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 12 July 2004.

Awards and Decorations

Bronze Star Medal

Purple Heart

Parachutist Badge

Special Forces Tab

Combat Medical Badge

Combat Infantryman Badge

Army Commendation Medal

Army Achievement Medal

Army Good Conduct Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Noncommissioned Officer

Professional Development Ribbon

Army Service Ribbon

Driver and Mechanic Badge

Military Education

Special Forces

Qualification Course

SERE

Survival, Evasion,

Resistance

and Escape Course

Basic

Airborne Course

Basic

Noncommissioned

Officer Course

Combat

Life Saver

Course

Aaron N. Holleyman was born in Rankin County Montana and attended school in Clinton, Montana. He later graduated from High School in Glasgow. He enlisted in the Army immediately after High School in 1996.

Holleyman is survived by his Parents, Reverend Ross and Glenda Holleyman, of Carthage, Miss.

By Three Children, Two Daughters and a Son, ages 5, 2 and 1, and his ex-wife, Gayla Holleyman of Fayetteville, N.C.

He also is survived by his Grandmother, Sylvia Carpenter of Monticello, a Sister, Kelly, 25, and his Brother, Pfc. Daniel M. Holleyman of the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Mississippi Army National Guard.

An honor guard from Fort Campbell attended the Tuesday funeral at Trinity Baptist Church in Carthage. Holleyman was buried in Monticello Baptist Church cemetery in Lawrence County in Mississippi.