Griner, Aaron Matthew
Male
Verified U.S. Army Corporal Aaron Matthew Griner, 24, of Tampa, Florida, was killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on June 28, 2006.
Their Story
Aaron Matthew Griner was a 24-year-old soldier from Tampa, Florida. He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Drum, New York. His unit was part of Task Force Catamount, a formation from the 10th Mountain Division.
Corporal Griner died on June 28, 2006, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he was killed when his patrol came under enemy small-arms fire during combat operations.
His death occurred during Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan that began in October 2001. In mid-2006, NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was expanding its presence into southern provinces like Helmand, where insurgent activity was intensifying.
Griner was posthumously promoted from Specialist to Corporal. He was survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. A memorial service was held at Fort Drum, and he was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Corporal Griner was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and other service medals. His name is inscribed on the Afghanistan War Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa.
Explore Further
Corporal Griner was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014). The conflict concluded in December 2014. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Andrews, Evander Earl, Edmunds, Jonn Joseph, Stonesifer, Kristofor Tif, Davis, Bryant Leroy.
