CAPE MAY, N.J. – A recruit who passed away while attending basic training was honored, Friday, during the graduation ceremony for his recruit company at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.
Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd became an honorary graduate of recruit-company Delta 193.
Redd joined the Coast Guard, June 28 and reported to Training Center Cape May that same day. According to his family, joining the Coast Guard was a dream of his.
In a statement issued by Redd’s parents, it read, “Aaron fulfilled his dream of becoming a Coast Guardsman. He wanted to save lives. At 21, he found his purpose, his drive.”
“Today we are proud to have designated Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd as an honorary graduate of Delta 193,” said Capt. Owen Gibbons, commanding officer of Training Center Cape May. “We commend him for having the desire to serve his country and to join our service. He, and his family, are forever part of our Coast Guard family now.”
On Friday, July 1, Redd collapsed after completing the 1.5-mile run portion of his initial physical fitness assessment. Coast Guard medical personnel, who were already on-scene as part of the training center’s safety protocol, immediately rendered first aid before transporting him to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House, N.J. There, Redd received medical treatment up until he died.
Following Redd’s death, his heart was donated to a person in need of a transplant through the Gift of Life program.
“Not only is Aaron a Coast Guardsman, he saved a life; as his incredibly strong, beautiful heart now beats in another,” according to the statement issued by the Redd family.
The causes and factors surrounding Redd’s death are currently under investigation.
Training Center Cape May is the Coast Guard’s only enlisted basic training program, and more than 83 percent of the Service’s workforce receives basic instruction here to become Coast Guardsmen. The recruits are trained in everything from firearms familiarization to basic water survival.
Franklin and Eileen Redd, parents of Coast Guard Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd, stand to be recognized, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, during the graduation ceremony for recruit company Delta 193 at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, N.J. Their son, Aaron, received the title of honorary graduate during the ceremony. Aaron Redd collapsed after a 1.5-mile run, July 1, and was taken to a hospital where he was given medical treatment until he died. The cause of his death is still under investigation. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards) Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer April Reid, a company commander at Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, N.J., embraces Mr. Franklin Redd, father of Seaman Recruit Aaron Redd, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, following the graduation ceremony of recruit company Delta 193. Redd's son, Aaron, joined the Coast Guard June 28, but collapsed on his third day in forming company and was rushed to the hospital where he received medical treatment up until his death. Aaron would have graduated with Delta 193. The cause of death is still under investigation. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Chief Warrant Officer John Edwards)