White, Aaron Dean
Male
Verified Staff Sergeant Aaron Dean White, 27, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was a U.S. Marine killed in action on May 19, 2003, in Al Hillah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Their Story
Aaron Dean White was a 27-year-old Staff Sergeant from Shawnee, Oklahoma, serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM-364), Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Camp Pendleton, California. He was a member of the "Purple Foxes" squadron, which operated CH-46 Sea Knight transport helicopters.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, White died on May 19, 2003, in Al Hillah, Iraq. He was reportedly killed when his CH-46 helicopter crashed during a mission. The incident was not attributed to hostile fire, according to official statements at the time.
White's death occurred in the immediate aftermath of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which began in March 2003. By May, major combat operations had been declared over, but the security situation was deteriorating as an insurgency began to form. The period saw frequent helicopter operations for troop transport and logistics in a volatile environment.
White was survived by his wife and a young daughter. He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal for his service. His name is inscribed on the Iraq War Memorial at Veterans Memorial Park in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
His squadron, HMM-364, continued operations throughout the Iraq War. White is remembered by his unit and community as a dedicated Marine and family man.
Explore Further
Staff Sergeant Aaron White was killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2010). The conflict concluded in August 2010. See the full roster of those killed in this conflict.
Among those documented in the same conflict: Kennedy, Brian Matthew, Beaupre, Ryan Anthony, Gutierrez, Jose, Waters-bey, Kendall Damon.
