Name: Army Pfc. Aaron D. Gautier Age: 19 From: Hampton, Va. Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash. Incident: Army Pfc. Aaron D. Gautier died May 17 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device.
Died:
May
17, 2007 Hampton soldier killed by roadside bomb in Iraq
The Associated Press
HAMPTON, Va. A Hampton soldier was among three killed when a roadside bomb exploded near their combat patrol in Iraq, the Defense Department said Friday.
Army Pvt. 1st Class Aaron Daniel Gautier, 19, died Thursday when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire and explosives.
Married in January, Gauthier had only been in the Army for 15 months, his family said. He was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division based at Fort Lewis, Wash.
Gautier dropped out of Bethel High School during his sophomore year after agreeing to immediately pursue his general equivalency diploma, his family said. He earned his GED just a few months before...
Prayers & Condolences For: Aaron D Gautier BY Anonymous on May 25, 2012
R.I.P
Prayers & Condolences For: Aaron D Gautier BY Anonymous on Jan 09, 2012
I was asigned as Aaron's wife casualty officer in Hampton. Being around his family I could see the love he was given and i tried not to cry during the wake. I think it was his dad Daniel that caught me crying and said it was ok to cry for his son, even though it wasnt proffesional on my part, but after talking to his mom and dad, I really appreciate every soldier that I led more than ever and truly have the utmost concern for the soldier's family and him or her. I saw that Aaron came from a great family and his truly miss. Even though I never met the soldier, I can honestly say that a day doesn't go by that I dont think about him. His legacy lives on forever, my prayers are always with the family. God Bless. Then SFC Sanchez, now 1LT Thomas Sanchez.
Prayers & Condolences For: Aaron D Gautier BY Anonymous on Jun 24, 2010
I was the head of the team that buried you i will never forget you or anyone else ive seen fallen, i would die to bring you back. You are not forgotten....-Sgt Samuels
Prayers & Condolences For: Aaron D Gautier BY Anonymous on Jun 26, 2009
Aaron enlisted in the Army, several weeks shy of his 18th birthday. On April 7th, he was shipped off to Iraq with the Washington-based 2nd Infantry Division."He was an infantryman," an Army brigadier general said at the service just before announcing that Gautier had earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and a posthumous promotion to corporal for his actions the day he died. "Every time he rolled off a forward operating base, every soldier looked at him with respect. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and Fort Lewis, Wash. But his true home was in Hampton Roads.Aaron was a beautiful, loving son, and friend to many. He was born on January 17, 1988 at 5:38am on a Sunday morning. "I remember that it was snowing outside." He was such a beautiful baby and grew up to be a handsome young man. He was a little hyper when he was growing up. The Doctors said he had ADHD. He was a handful growing up. But I wouldnt trade not one moment or memory.
Aaron was killed on Thursday, May 17 in Baghdad of wounds sustained when his mounted patrol came in contact with enemy forces using small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device. He died from his inquiries on the operating table.
CPL Aaron D. Gautier, 19, of Hampton, passed May 17, 2007, paying the ultimate price for freedom in Iraq. A U.S. Army veteran whose proudest accomplishment was graduating infantry school, Aaron enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his two little sisters. He attended Bethel High School, where he was a member of the Army JROTC unit. Aaron found enjoyment in the smallest things in life, and was quick to find friendship in everyone he encountered. Aaron is survived by his mother, Tina Houchins, and stepdad, Donald 'Bubba,' of Newport News; father, Daniel Gautier, and wife, Tracy; two sisters, Tricia Gautier and Alexis Houchins of Newport News ;grandparents, Daniel and Teresa Richey of Wilmington, N.C., Brian and Dottie Coleman of Hampton, Ken and Pat Lenorman of Newport News; step-grandmother, Saundra Mayes of Hopewell; great-grandfather, Ray Grieve of Hampton;; Aunt, Val Gautier-Conlon, and Uncle, Jimmy, of Newport News; Aunt, Tracy Boswell of Hopewell; Uncle, Robert C. Stockum of Hampton; and a host of family and friends.
The American flag draping the silver casket sitting at the front of Fort Monroe's Chapel of the Centurian was symbolic of the man Army Cpl. Aaron Gautier had become.He was patriotic, dedicated and loyal. At 19 years old, he had learned what it meant to live honorably and with courage, family and friends said at his funeral Saturday.Published in the Daily Press from 5/23/2007 - 5/26/2007.
"Remembrance, you can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she has left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she's gone, or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what she'd want, smile, open your eyes, love and go on. Author Unknown"
Prayers & Condolences For: Aaron D Gautier BY John on Apr 09, 2008
May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.