SSG Aaron Holleyman

[Dan]

Just released to the public today by his grandmother...not the PAO. I can't say more until the PAO releases it.

JACKSON, Miss. - A Mississippi native who was medic of the 5th Special Forces Group was killed Monday in attack on his convoy in Iraq.

Staff Sgt. Aaron Holleyman, 27, died when his vehicle was hit by a land mine, his grandmother, Sylvia Carpenter of Monticello, told the Enterprise-Journal on Tuesday.

He was one of four soldiers in the last vehicle in the convoy. Three other soldiers suffered minor injuries.

Holleyman is the son of Ross and Glenda Holleyman of Carthage. Calls to the Holleyman home went unanswered Tuesday.

The 5th Special Forces Group is based in Fort Campbell, Ky.

Holleyman was the father of three children, ages 5, 3 and 1. Sylvia Carpenter said the children live in Fayetteville, N.C., with their mother.

Sylvia Carpenter said Holleyman had just returned to Iraq in July after being stateside for treatment of injuries received earlier in Iraq. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service.

"He had two close calls last year," Sylvia Carpenter said.

In 2003, Holleyman was in a vehicle accident in Iraq and saved the life of one of the soldiers. He also was injured in a separate accident, she said.

"Aaron loved what he was doing. It really was close to his heart," she said. "He felt proud to be doing what he was doing. From the way everything has happened and his attitude, he's just our hero."

Monticello Mayor Dave Nichols said the flag in front of City Hall was at half-staff in honor of Holleyman.