Aaron grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was an honors student at Central Cambria High School in nearby Ebensburg, where he played football and ran track. In his spare time, he volunteered with two local fire departments—even while home on leave from the Army—and served as an altar boy at his church. Following in the footsteps of his father, three uncles, and grandfather, he joined the U.S. Army after graduating in 2003, intending to use the GI Bill to attend college.

He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and in March 2004 was assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Howze in South Korea. That summer, his unit deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Aaron died on October 11, 2004, from injuries sustained the previous day, when his military vehicle came under fire near Baghdad.

His legacy endures through the family, friends, and comrades he inspired.