Harold Robert Aaron | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1921-06-21)June 21, 1921 Kokomo, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 1980(1980-04-30) (aged 58) Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1979 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles / wars | World War II Cold War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star (3) Purple Heart Air Medal (2) |
| Other work | Senior Staff Scientist,TRW |
Harold Robert Aaron (June 21, 1921 – April 30, 1980) was alieutenant general in theUnited States Army.
Born inKokomo, Indiana, Aaron attendedMorton High School in Richmond, Indiana, graduating in 1938. He then studied atEarlham College for two years before entering theUnited States Military Academy atWest Point in 1940. Aaron graduated with a B.S. degree in June 1943 and served in Europe duringWorld War II, earning twoBronze Stars and aPurple Heart. He later graduated from theCommand and General Staff College in 1953, theArmed Forces Staff College in 1958 and theNational War College in 1964. Aaron completed an M.A. degree in international relations atGeorgetown 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 entitledThe 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 twoAir 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 amajor general.[2][3] Aaron was later promoted tolieutenant general. He retired from active duty on January 31, 1979, after serving as deputy director of theDefense Intelligence Agency.[5]
Aaron married Marianne H. O'Donoghue on January 16, 1944, atSt. 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 inAnnandale, Virginia.[7]
Aaron died in DeWitt Army Hospital atFort Belvoir after suffering a heart attack.[7] He was buried atArlington National Cemetery inArlington, Virginia.[8]
In 1987 LTG Aaron was inducted into theMilitary Intelligence Hall of Fame at the United States Army Intelligence Center, Fort Huachuca, AZ.
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Purple Heart
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with "Germany" clasp
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 clasp
Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam) Individual Citation 
US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge
Republic of Vietnam (RVN) basic parachutist badge
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm device unit citation
Republic of VietnamCivil Actions Medal Unit Citation
Office of the Secretary of Defense identification badage
Defense Intelligence Agency identification badage
.png)
1st United States Army Special Forces SSI
