“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”

The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.

CDR Aaron Kottas.jpg

Aaron loved serving his country and he also very much loved his wife Jennifer and his daughter Olivia Jane. She turned six years old and three weeks later her daddy was gone, as Aaron ended up taking his life. Olivia is tall, blonde and has her daddy’s crystal blue eyes. Aaron loved to restore old cars and on the back window of each one he had the saying “Character Still Counts”. He loved the outdoors, the beach, live concerts, Japanese food and fishing. He loved spending time with his girls and making them special videos with some of his favorite music. He also mentored many Junior Officers wanting them to do better and to succeed. He was a man of integrity, had deep faith and trusted God.