Aaron Carson Vaughn bio

Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughn was from Stuart, Florida. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November, 2002.

He graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois on February, 2003. Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughn completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL School, Coronado California in April, 2004. He served in a West Coast based Special Warfare Unit from November, 2004 to June, 2008.

He served in an East Coast based SEAL Team from June, 2008 to August, 2011.
Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughn’s awards include the Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ for valor, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2) one with “V” for valor, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal (2), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2) Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, and Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal.

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Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Rear Admiral Sean A. Pybus, released the following statement:

“Early Saturday morning, Aug. 6, Naval Special Warfare suffered a tremendous loss of 22 men while conducting critical special operations combat in Afghanistan. They cannot be replaced. We will honor their service and sacrifice, and embrace their families as our own, in this time of immeasurable grief. The outpouring of support and sympathy from the Armed Services, the Government, Communities and the Public is well beyond my ability to properly thank. The Naval Special Warfare Community is deeply humbled and appreciative.

Our NSW men were in company with U.S. Army aircrew, U.S. Air Force para-rescue and combat controllers, and an Afghan security element. We grieve for all of them, and admire their teamwork, commitment and courage. I have great hope for the future knowing that extraordinary men dedicate themselves completely to the idea and the actions of freedom and security, not only for ourselves but for others. We are truly blessed that such men answer a call to military service at the highest levels of professionalism and capability, but also deeply saddened by their loss. In the days and weeks ahead, I would ask for your thoughts, prayers and support for NSW, our Families, the Special Operations Community, and all of our Armed Forces.”

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Insurgents shot down a Chinook helicopter in Eastern Afghanistan on August 6, 2011, killing 30 U.S. servicemembers and eight Afghans, including 22 members of Naval Special Warfare.