Master Sergeant Aaron C. Torian was born on June 28, 1977, and called Paducah, Kentucky, home. He graduated from Thomas Stone High School in 1995 and played football at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He went on to graduate school at Tennessee Tech University, where he also served as assistant defensive line and strength coach, and in December 2002 he earned a master’s degree in instructional leadership.
With a graduate degree and a coaching career ahead of him, Aaron enlisted in the Marine Corps as an infantryman in March 2003. He completed the Basic Reconnaissance Course and was assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In late 2004, as a lance corporal, he fought through Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Phantom Fury, working around the clock and learning every weapon system so that he could lead his five-man unit through the insurgent-held streets. His performance earned him selection as the 2nd Marine Division’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2005, and he was promoted from lance corporal to sergeant in just four months.
In December 2006 Aaron joined Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and became a critical skills operator with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. His training included the Scout Sniper Basic Course, Advanced Winter Mountain Leaders, free-fall and jumpmaster training and the Special Forces engineer sergeant course. He completed six combat deployments, two to Iraq and four to Afghanistan, and was promoted to master sergeant in 2013.
In 2014 Aaron was serving as a team chief with Marine Special Operations Company Hotel in Afghanistan. During an operation on January 29, 2014, when his unit came under heavy machine-gun and grenade fire, he maneuvered across open ground under fire to establish better satellite communications and observe the enemy, then coordinated multiple helicopter close air support missions. On February 15, 2014, he was killed by an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province. He was 36 years old.
Aaron was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” and his third Purple Heart. His other decorations include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V,” the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon with gold star, three Good Conduct Medals and the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals. More than 200 people gathered at Stone Bay, Camp Lejeune, for the ceremony at which his wife received his medals. “What I admire most about Aaron was his relentless, competitive spirit, unrivaled work capacity and zest for life, family and friends,” said his longtime friend Charlie Goodyear. “He set the standard for effort and intensity so high that you could do nothing but respect him.” A fellow operator remembered his lessons: “work hard, be honest, value your friendships and never think there isn’t a way to achieve success.”
Aaron is survived by his wife, Jurley, and their three children, Elijah, Laura Bella and Avery.
Master Sgt. Torian was named 2nd Marine Division's NCO of the Year for leading his unit through Fallujah in 2004. He deployed six times in defense of freedom.
Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
Sources
- DVIDS: MARSOC Marine posthumously awarded Bronze Star for actions in Afghanistan (June 30, 2014)
- 2nd Marine Division: Paducah, Ky., native stands out among thousands
- MARSOC: MARSOC identifies Marine casualty
- Military Times Honor the Fallen: Marine Master Sgt. Aaron C. Torian
- Family-provided records on file with MVF: Aaron Torian bio
