03/12/2026
SFC Aaron A. Grider from Illinois, served with A Company 1st Ranger Battalion -
Sgt. 1st Class Ronald A. "Aaron" Grider died Saturday on his 30th birthday after being hit by machine gun fire during combat in the Kunduz province of Afghanistan, officials with the U.S. Department of Defense said.
His is a story of unbelievable courage, bravery, and dedication. It was his ninth military deployment overseas. He went seven times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan.
Sgt. 1st Class Ronald "Aaron" Grider, 30, was assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, N.C.
"He was just loved by everybody," said his stepmother, Virginia Grider. "We miss him."
Grider was just married in March to Brittany Reed. They lived in North Carolina. Grider had a 4-year-old daughter from his first marriage.
Grider's uncle, Ned Thompson of Bunker Hill, said Grider was "a beautiful kid who loved his country.
"He knew what the risks were and was willing to die to help us out," said Thompson, 61. "It's just amazing. It doesn't even strike home until it gets this close."
Grider's wife was in North Carolina on Monday night to see his casket es**rted from the plane.
Grider was born in Alton. He graduated from Civic Memorial High School, where he had been involved in cross country and track, and wrestled a few years, Thompson said.
"He was a real physical fitness nut as far as biking and staying in shape," Thompson said. "He was even voted the "best-built" boy of the school."