MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- More than 300 Marines, family and friends filled the pews of the base chapel to remember Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Taylor at a memorial service Oct. 28.
Taylor, a 27-year-old native of Bovey, Minn., was killed in action Oct. 9 while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan. He served as an explosive ordnance technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force.
“His mission was not to find and defeat IEDs -- his job was to save lives,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Puglisi, the commanding officer of MWSS-372.
Taylor is remembered for his great sense of humor, and as a dedicated leader who was compassionate for his Marines and family.
“I will love him and miss him every minute of everyday and I’m a better man because of him,” said his father, Clifford Taylor.
Taylor’s personal awards include a Bronze Star with Combat V (posthumously),a Purple Heart (posthumously), a Combat Action Ribbon, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with a bronze star, a National Defense Service Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two bronze stars, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal, an International Security Assistance Force NATO Medal, a Humanitarian Service Medal with a bronze start and a Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.
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