Darin Taylor Hoover (1990 - 2021)

Born 24 Jul 1990 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, United States

Died 26 Aug 2021 at age 31 in Hamid Karzai International Airport the airport’s Abbey Gate, Kabul, Kābol, Afghanistan

Darin Hoover was awarded the Purple Heart.

Biography

Marine Corps

His military occupational specialty was 0369, infantry unit leader.

Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, one of 13 soldiers killed in Kabul, was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.[1]

His awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Certificate of Commendation (Individual), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Appreciation, Meritorious Mast, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Additional awards pending approval may include, Combat Action Ribbon and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to a 1st Marine Division press release.

He and 12 other military members were killed August 26, 2021 in a bombing attack outside of the Kabul Airport while supporting Operation Freedom’s Sentinel to evacuate US citizens and Afghan allies following the Taliban takeover of the country. The last of the military personnel were removed, and the Afghanistan war declared ended August 30, 2021.

On findagrave.com

Burial at Taylor’s resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery.

Ssgt Taylor Hoover of Salt Lake City, UT

July 24, 1990 - August 26, 2021

A memorial vigil will be held in honor of United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover on Friday, September 3, 2021, at the Marion Performing Arts Center / Marion High School in Marion, Arkansas, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Graveside services, full military honors, and burial will be held in later days at Arlington National Cemetery.

His military occupational specialty was 0369, infantry unit leader.

His awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Certificate of Commendation (Individual), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Appreciation, Meritorious Mast, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Additional awards pending approval may include, Combat Action Ribbon and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, according to a 1st Marine Division press release. ∼ Via Reuters; Staff Sergeant Hoover was a born leader, his father Darin Hoover said, who loved the United States and was on his third tour of Afghanistan. " He led his men into that, and they followed him , but I know- I know in my heart of hearts, he was out front," Mr. Hoover said. "And they would've have followed him through the gates of hell if that's what it took, and ultimately, that's pretty much what he did."

Thanks to LaDaina #47073144.

Sources

• https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/08/28/here-are-the-names-of-the-13-service-members-who-died-in-afghanistan-attack/
• https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/26/asia/afghanistan-kabul-airport-blast-intl/index.html
• https://www.ft.com/content/b2ba76a1-694b-47f9-b077-d48ad88a8cb5
• https://www.taylorhoovermemorial.org/
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231629278/darin-taylor-hoover
• https://www.kait8.com/2021/09/10/staff-sgt-taylor-hoover-honored-with-purple-heart/
• https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/09/10/29-purple-hearts-approved-12-pending-for-marines-and-corpsman-who-defended-kabul-airport/