FAIRBAIRN, AARON

Aaron E. Fairbairn was born on February 02, 1989 in Yakama, Washington and was a 2007 graduate of Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen Washington. Growing up, Aaron had a job as a paperboy at Daily World where he received the “Paper Carrier of the Year Award” at age 13. He also worked at Papa Murphy’s Pizza where he proved to be honest and dependable. Aaron was also a lot attendant at Whitney’s Auto Group. Throughout his youth, he was a Boy Scout and developed a love for the outdoors. The off-road enthusiast loved riding dirt bikes and four-wheeling in his truck.  

 Early in 2008, just six months out of high school, PFC Fairbairn joined the Army and after Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. By the summer of 2009, Aaron, was deployed to Afghanistan, where he spent most of his free time on base watching the DVDs his family sent to him. This gave his family some comfort, since they felt he was safest there.  

PFC Fairbairn was scheduled to return home from his deployment in September 2009. However, on 04 July 2009 PFC Fairbairn died as a result of his wound from a Taliban Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) at Combat Outpost Zerok in Paktika, Afghanistan.  He was just 20 years old.  

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Shelley and David Masters of Central Park, WA; father, Richard Bennett; Sister, Sascha Davidson of Portland, Oregon; Brother, Beau (Marcy, Cameron and Jackson) Beck of Cosmopolis, WA. Half-brothers, Richie and Devon Bennett of Vancouver, BC; Step-brother, Nathanial (Natalie and Brooklyn) Lewis of Missoula, Montana; Step-sisters, Tabitha (EJ) Bastien of Bellevue and Jaycie (Jeff) Wakefield of Bellingham, WA. Grandma’s Ina Fairbairn of Central Park, WA and Elizabeth Swanson of Federal Way, WA. Aunt’s and Uncle’s: Chuck (Lisa) Fairbairn of Sunnyside, WA; Ryan (Jim) Fairbairn of Sahuarita, AZ; Bonnie (Bob) Cross of Hoquiam, WA; Tim (Michelle) Fairbairn, Naches, WA; Janet (Julie) Fairbairn of Charlotte, NC; Allyn (Carlene) Madding of Aberdeen, WA; Tim (Andrea) Madding of Louisville, KY; and Alex (Mandy) Grayson of Portland, OR along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Close Friends who adored him. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers PFC Aaron Fairbairn for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. Our hope is that his life continues to inspire all who learn his story.