Person:Aaron Butler (4)

Biography

Aaron was born in Monticello, Utah. He was the seventh of eight children born to his parents. He has one sister whom he adored and six brothers who had been his companions through life.

From the beginning, Aaron was a very determined, adventurous soul. As a young child, his bright blue eyes were always looking for mischief, which he usually found. He was so full of life, happiness and endless energy! He loved the outdoor adventures best and could usually be found with a stick or a critter in his hands! He participated in and enjoyed the Boy Scouts of America, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout high school he excelled in music, football and his main focus, wrestling. He set a specific goal to become a four-time state wrestling champion. Through hard work and extraordinary determination, he realized his goal, becoming the first ever in Monticello High School history to achieve this mark and just the 17th wrestler in Utah State history.

In 2009, Aaron volunteered himself for full-time service as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to labor in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission in Africa. For two years, he worked tirelessly, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Ghanaian people. He served them with a great love and compassion. He aided them in building and improving homes, wells and made numerous additional efforts in their behalf. His dedicated service to others in this way highlights a distinct trait in his personality and soul. He cared about his fellowman, their safety and well-being. He served others with the love of Jesus Christ.

From a very young age, Aaron became interested in the United States Military. As a first grader, he announced to his family that he would be a soldier when he grew up. From that time on he never once wavered in that resolve. On April 10, 2008, while still in high school, he enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard, where he laid the building blocks of his military career. In 2014, he began the grueling Special Forces Training program. On January 14, 2016 he graduated Special Forces Training and donned the Green Beret. He was one of four soldiers to graduate with honors. Since that day, he was decorated with additional combat awards.

Aaron died on August 16, 2017 at the age of 27 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device while clearing a booby-trapped building.

Aaron was a natural-born leader. He was determined to become an elite soldier and always led from the front. He wanted to be the ‘tip of the spear’. He led by example and swift action. He personified the Army’s values in everything he said and did. He was a strength and inspiration to all those around him and a joy to his family. Aaron was absolutely fearless, selfless, courageous and relentless. In a life that was all too brief, to his family he was a dear son and brother who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Aaron is survived by his parents, fiancé, siblings, grandparents, and 23 nieces and nephews.^[9]

Video Tributes

Aaron with childhood friend & neighbor in Monticello.

Aaron was 4-time state champion for wrestling team in Monticello.

SSG Aaron Butler (2017)

SSG Aaron R. Butler (2017)

An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Aaron R. Butler at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware (17 Aug 2017)

Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Aaron R. Butler at Dover Air Force Base

Body of Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler, Utah soldier killed in Afghanistan, arrives at the Monticello Airport (24 Aug 2017)

SSG Aaron Butler's body arriving in Utah after flight from Dover, Delaware. (24 Aug 2017)

Family of Aaron Butler in a vehicle procession from the Monticello Airport to the mortuary in Blanding, Utah. (24 Aug 2017)

Pallbearers carried Aaron's casket to his gravesite, as fellow Green Beret members stood in salute.

Hundreds attend burial for Utah war hero, Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler.

Traditional military three-volley rifle salute at Aaron's funeral

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert's statement on the death of Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler.

Pallbearers at the graveside service in Monticello on August 26, 2017.

Laura and Randy Butler at the graveside service for their son, fallen soldier Aaron Butler, in Monticello Saturday August 26, 2017.

Aaron was posthumous awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan during Utah Governor Herbert’s 63rd annual review of the Utah National Guard on 16 Sep 2017.

NASCAR driver Aric Almirola's tweet in honor of SSG Aaron Butler

Aaron Butler "monster"

Aaron Butler pinewood derby

Aaron Butler senior photo

Aaron Butler Missionary farewell

Funeral procession

Aaron Butler Special Forces graduate

USASOC Memorial Wall as tribute to the Fallen Warriors

News conference with family (23 Aug 2017)

Gravesite headstone

Aaron Butler during deployment (2017)

Funeral ceremony

Funeral ceremony & presentation of flag to family

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} Stories about Aaron Butler
   Compilation of news stories and collection of media reports relating to the death of Staff Sergeant Aaron Butler.
2. ↑ Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler reference in article entitled, "Howard Altman: Choice of MacDill base commander shows commitment to integrate reserves, in [http://www.tampabay.com Tampa Bay Times
   25 Aug 2017.

   The Pentagon last week announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Staff Sgt. Aaron R. Butler, 27, of Monticello, Utah, died Aug. 16 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations. The incident is under investigation. Butler was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Camp Williams, Utah.

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4} Staff Sgt Aaron Rhett Butler Obituary, in San Juan Record (San Juan County, Utah)
   22 Aug 2017.

   Staff Sgt Aaron Rhett Butler (August 24, 1989 ~ August 16, 2017)
   Aaron was born in Monticello, UT. He was the seventh of eight children. He has one sister whom he adores, and six brothers who have been his companions through life. From the beginning, Aaron has been a very determined, adventurous soul. As a young child, his bright blue eyes were always looking for mischief, which he usually found. He was so full of life, happiness and endless energy! He loved the outdoor adventures best and could usually be found with a stick or a critter in his hands! He participated in and enjoyed the Boy Scouts of America, eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Throughout high school he excelled in music, football and his main focus, wrestling. He set a specific goal to become a four-time state wrestling champion. Through hard work and extraordinary determination, he realized his goal, becoming the first ever in Monticello High School history to achieve this mark and just the 17th wrestler in Utah State history. In 2009, Aaron volunteered himself for full-time service as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was called to labor in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission in Africa. For two years, he worked tirelessly, teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Ghanaian people. He served them with a great love and compassion. He aided them in building and improving homes, wells and made numerous additional efforts in their behalf. His dedicated service to others in this way highlights a distinct trait in his personality and soul. He cared about his fellowman, their safety and wellbeing. He served others with the love of Jesus Christ. From a very young age, Aaron became interested in the United States Military. As a first grader, he announced to his family that he would be a soldier when he grew up. From that time on he never once wavered in that resolve. On April 10, 2008, while still in high school, he enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard, where he laid the building blocks of his military career. In 2014, he began the grueling Special Forces Training program. On January 14, 2016 he graduated Special Forces Training and donned the Green Beret. He is one of four soldiers to graduate with honors. Since that day, he has been decorated with additional combat awards. Aaron died on August 16, 2017 at the age of 27 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device while clearing a booby-trapped building. Aaron was a natural-born leader. He was determined to become an elite soldier and always led from the front. He wanted to be the ‘tip of the spear’. He led by example and swift action. He personified the Army’s values in everything he said and did. He was a strength and inspiration to all those around him and a joy to his family. Aaron was absolutely fearless, selfless, courageous and relentless. In a life that was all too brief, our dear son and brother made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Aaron is survived by his parents of Monticello; fiancé from Cedar Hills; siblings from George, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Bluffdale, Saratoga Springs, Bluffdale, and Heber City (all Utah cities); grandparents from Monticello and Kettle Falls, WA; and 23 nieces and nephews.

   Names of living individuals edited from obituary text recorded herein.

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Staff Sgt. Aaron Rhett Butler, in Wall/USASOC Fallen Heroes Home Page.html USASOC Memorial Wall: Fallen Heroes Home Page
   26 May 2018.

   Staff Sgt. Aaron Butler, 27, a Special Forces engineer sergeant assigned to 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), died Aug. 16, 2017, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device. A native of Monticello, Utah, Butler enlisted in the U.S. Army in April 2008. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training as a combat engineer, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then assigned to Charlie Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion, Blanding, Utah. In June 2015, he transferred to 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Operations Detachment, Lehi, Utah. Butler graduated with honors, Jan. 14, 2016, from the Special Forces Qualification Course, and was assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battaion, 19th SFG (A), Camp Williams, Utah, as a Special Forces engineer sergeant. He mobilized in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, April 1, 2017. His military education includes the Combat Engineer Course, Airborne School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Engineer Sergeant Qualification Course (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Basic Special Operations Language Training (French), Advanced Leader Course, and Military Free Fall Parachutist Course. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Special Forces Tab, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} SSGT Aaron Rhett Butler, in Find A Grave
   Memorial #182503637, 18 Aug 2017.

   BIRTH 24 Aug 1989, Monticello, San Juan County, Utah, USA
   DEATH 16 Aug 2017 (aged 27), Nangarhar, Afghanistan
   BURIAL Monticello City Cemetery, Monticello, San Juan County, Utah, USA
   PLOT Plat A Lot 105 Plot 8

   SSGT, US Army Special Forces Engineer Noncommissioned Officer (NCO), Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He signed-up with the Utah National Guard prior to his high school graduation. He graduated with honors from the Army Green Beret Special Forces Qualification Course in January 2016. He was assigned to the 19th Special Force Group, Utah Army National Guard, based out of Camp Williams, Utah. He deployed to Afghanistan in April 2017 in support of Operation Resolute Support. He was killed by an IED while he was clearing a booby-trapped building in eastern Afghanistan. His military awards and decorations include the ARCOM; National Defense Service Medal; Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Special Forces Tab; Military Free-Fall Parachutist Badge; and Parachutist Badge. He was posthumously awarded Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He graduated from Monticello High School in 2008, where he has been a four-time state wrestling champion. From 2009-2011, he served a mission in Ghana for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was survived by his mother; his father; six brothers; a sister; his fiancee; and other relatives, friends, and his Brothers-in-Arms.

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5} Aaron Rhett Butler, in FamilySearch Family Tree
   22 Oct 2017.

   Birth: 24 August 1989, Monticello, San Juan, Utah, United States
   Christening: 3 September 1989, Monticello, San Juan, Utah, United States
   Death: 16 August 2017, Nangarhār, Afghanistan
   Burial: 26 August 2017, Monticello, San Juan, Utah, United States

7. ↑ ^7.0 7.1 Army Staff Sgt Aaron R. Butler, in Military Times: Honor The Fallen (Honoring those who fought and died in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn).

   Died August 16, 2017 Serving During Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. 27, of Monticello, Utah, died Aug. 16 in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Camp Williams, Utah. The incident is under investigation.

   Republication of article written by Michelle Tan from NavyTimes (reprinted at "Pentagon identifies Green Beret killed in Afghanistan") is also posted to this reference.

8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Butler, Aaron Rhett, SSG US Army, in United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Nationwide Gravesite Locator.

   BUTLER, AARON RHETT
   SSG US ARMY AFGHANISTAN
   DATE OF BIRTH: 08/24/1989
   DATE OF DEATH: 08/16/2017
   BURIED AT: MONTICELLO CITY CEMETERY, CEMETERY ROAD MONTICELLO, UT 84535
   (435) 864-3412

9. ↑ Green Beret Foundation Memorial Wall: Aaron R. Butler, SSG, 08/24/1989-08/16/2017, OFS, 19th Special Forces Group, Monticello, UT.