Taj Sareen

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Hillsborough, CA

Branch of Service: United States Marine Corps

Rank: Major

Graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2004 and joined the Marine Corps. He was commissioned in 2005. Maj. Sareen was a F-18 pilot who had previously deployed with VMFA-232 to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of OEF. He was an instructor at Marine Fighter Attack Training Squaderon (VMFAT) 101.

His personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and one Air Medal – Strike/Flight “5.” Maj. Sareen was returning home from a six-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve when his aircraft crashed in England. Reports indicate that Taj diverted the aircraft from a housing complex, with no time left to eject.

Major Sareen left behind a 14-month old daughter named Jade. Taj was described by a friend as, “An iconic hero for all of us. He was just a great guy.”

Age: 34

Date of Death: October 15, 2015