This Military Service Page was created/owned by
MAJ Mark E Cooper
to remember
Aaron, Harold Robert, LTG USA(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Kokomo
Last Address Fort Belvoir, VA
Date of Passing Apr 30, 1980
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Harold Robert Aaron Birth: June 21, 1921 Death: April 30, 1980
United States Army General. Graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1943, and was assigned as a Second Lieutenant and Company Commander in the European Theatre during World War II.
He served in a number of various posts in Europe and the Pacific after the war, rising in the ranks until he was promoted to Lieutenant General.
He served as commander of U.S. Special Forces in the Pacific from 1967 to 1969, as assistant Chief of Intelligence for the Department of the Army from 1973 to 1977, and as Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency from 1977 to 1979.
He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters during his service.
Lieutenant General Harold Aaron, U.S. Military Academy Class of June 1943.
Distinguished service in special operations and intelligence assignments.
Commander, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam; Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, U.S. Army, Europe. Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army; Deputy Director, Defense Intelligence Agency. Extract from Register of Graduates, U.S. Military Academy, 1980:
Born in Indiana, 21 June 1921 Infantry, Company Commander, 259 Infantry, Theater Army Europe, 1944 to 1945 (two Bronze Star Medals; Combat Infantry Badge; Army Commendation Ribbon; Purple Heart) Command and General Staff College, 1953 MA Georgetown University, 1960 Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense, 1961 to 1963 National War College, 1964 Ph.D. Georgetown University, 1964 Aide-de-camp to Commanding General, 8th Army, 1964 to 1965 Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1965 to 1967 Legion of Merit) Commander, 1st Special Forces Group, 1967 to 1968; (Legion of Merit) Commander, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam, 1968 to 1969 (Distinguished Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal; two Air Medals; Combat Infantry Badge) Assistant Division Commander, 8th Division, 1969 to 1971 Chief of Staff, V Corps, Germany, 1971 to 1972 Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, US Army, Europe, 1972 to 1973 (Legion of Merit) Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Department of the Army, 1973 to 1977 (Distinguished Service Medal) Deputy Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, 1977 to 1979 (Defense Distinguished Service Medal Retired in 1979 as a Lieutenant General Senior Staff Scientist with TRW, 1979 Died at Fort Belvoir, 30 April 1980
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase VI Campaign (1968-69)
From Month/Year
November / 1968
To Month/Year
February / 1969
Description This campaign was from 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969. In November 1968 the South Vietnam government with American support began a concentrated effort to expand security in the countryside. This project was known as the "Accelerated Pacification Campaign."
This period covers the election of President Richard M. Nixon and a change of policy brought about by his administration after January 1969 when he announced a coming end to US combat in Southeast Asia and a simultaneous strengthening of South Vietnam's ability to defend itself. Formal truce negotiations began in Paris on January 25, 1969. The period can be characterized as marking time in preparation for an about face. Forty-seven ground combat operations were recorded during this period, the following being the most important:
(1). Operation NAPOLEON in the Dong Ha area initiated previously (1967) by Marine units, terminated on 9 December 1968.
(2). Operation WHEELER WALLOWA by 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division and 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) in north-central Quan Tin Province. This ended on 11 November.
(3). Operation MACARTHUR initiated by 4th U.S. Infantry Division in II Corps tactical zone terminated on 31 January 1969.
(4). Operation COCHISE GREEN conducted by the 173d Airborne Brigade in Binh Dinh Province.
(5). Operation TOAN THANG II consisted of ground operations throughout III CTZ. This was a multi-division operation involving allied forces.
(6). Operation SEA LORDS was a coast and riverine operation. On 6 December Operation GIANT SLINGSHOT was started to disrupt enemy infiltration of materials from the "Parrot's Beak" area of Cambodia. Air operations continued to be important with over 60,000 sorties flown.
