Harold Aaron

Harold R. Aaron, Class of 1938

The Three Star General from RHS,  “Captain Aaron, reorganized his company after it had been pinned down by artillery and machine gun fire while he was on patrol and personally led it through artillery barrage. His courage, excellent judgement, and superior leadership reflect great credit upon Captain Aaron and the military service.”  (General George Patton, WWII)

Born June 21, 1921, Harold moved with his family from Kokomo to Richmond in 1923. He lived at 222 S 3rd Street. Harold  attended Earlham for two years with summer courses of military training at CMTC (Citizens Military Training Camp ) on August 4, 1939, and at West Point on July 1, 1940. This was at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis.

He was the oldest child of Walter and Anna Aaron.

A retired colonel recommended him for West Point in 1940. In 1943 he graduated from West Point, and under Patton’s 3rd Army received a bronze Star awarded-Purple Heart. He achieved the rank of Colonel at the end of WWII.

Upon coming  back to the US, Harold married a girl from New York and had 3 children. He then entered the Korean War.  Another child was born and then he entered the Vietnam War, serving four campaigns. He and his wife had a total of seven children between 1948 and 1968. They resided in Annadale, Virginia. Harold retired in 1979 after 35 years of service.

He served in Washington DC, Taiwan, and Germany.  He received two Legion of Merit awards, 2 Air medals, a Purple Heart, 2 bronze stars, and a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross.

Harold’s progression through ranks in his military career are as follows:

  • 1940-1943 Cadet
  • WWII Captain
  • 1950-53 Korean War–Major
  • 1953-1958 Lieutenant Colonel
  • 1968-69 Vietnam–Colonel of Green Berets 5th Special Forces Airborne Group
  • 1970-1972 Brigadier General
  • 1972-1975 Major General
  • 1975 Lieutenant General

Harold’s educational background included St. Andrews Grade School, Morton High School, Earlham, Georgetown University (Master of Arts and Doctorate in International Relations), West Point, Army Command,  General Staff, Armed Forces Staff College, and the  National War College. He died April 30, 1975 at the age of 54 of a heart attack in Annadale, VA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  380 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, IN 47374

 (765) 973-3338