Corporal Aaron J. Ripperda, 26, of Madison, Ill., was an anti-tank missileman assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. He joined the Marine Corps in September 2008 and was promoted to his current rank in April 2011. Ripperda's awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. He was most recently deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2011.