Harold Robert Aaron

Harold Robert Aaron (June 21, 1921 – April 30, 1980) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

Harold Robert Aaron
Born(1921-06-21)June 21, 1921
Kokomo, Indiana
DiedApril 30, 1980(1980-04-30) (aged 58)
Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1943–1979
RankLieutenant General
Battles/warsWorld War II
Cold War
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star (3)
Purple Heart
Air Medal (2)
Other workSenior Staff Scientist, TRW

Biography

Born in Kokomo, Indiana, Aaron attended Morton High School in Richmond, Indiana, graduating in 1938. He then studied at Earlham College for two years before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1940. Aaron graduated with a B.S. degree in June 1943 and served in Europe during World War II, earning two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He later graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1953, the Armed Forces Staff College in 1958 and the National War College in 1964. Aaron completed an M.A. degree in international relations at Georgetown University in January 1960. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in international relations at Georgetown in 1964.[1][2][3] His doctoral thesis was entitled The seizure of political power in Cuba, 1956-1959.[4]

As a colonel, Aaron served as Commander, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam from June 4, 1968, to May 29, 1969, earning a third Bronze Star and two Air Medals. From November 5, 1973, to August 28, 1977, he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Headquarters, Department of the Army as a major general.[2][3] Aaron was later promoted to lieutenant general. He retired from active duty on January 31, 1979 after serving as deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.[5]

Aaron married Marianne H. O'Donoghue on January 16, 1944 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.[6] They had three sons and four daughters. After his retirement from the Army, Aaron and his wife lived in Annandale, Virginia.[7]

Aaron died in DeWitt Army Hospital at Fort Belvoir after suffering a heart attack.[7] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.[8]

Honors and awards

General Aaron is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

References
  1. U.S. Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  2. "Class of June 1943—Register of Graduates". Register of Graduates and Former Cadets 1802–1971 of the United States Military Academy. The West Point Alumni Foundation Inc. 1971. p. 528. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  3. "Lieutenant General Harold R. Aaron" (PDF). Intelligence Knowledge Network. U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence. December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  4. Aaron, Harold Robert (1964). The seizure of political power in Cuba, 1956-1959 (Thesis). Washington, D.C.: Department of Government, Georgetown University. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  5. "Names in the News: Aaron Retires". Journal of the U.S. Army Intelligence & Security Command. Vol. 2, no. 5. March 1979. p. 15. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  6. "Marrianne H. Aaron". Washington Times. November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  7. "Lt. Gen. H. R. Aaron, Served In World War II and Vietnam". The Washington Post. May 6, 1980. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  8. Burial Detail: Aaron, Harold R (Section 3, Grave 3902-LH) – ANC Explorer
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