Background
Ahern was born on November 7, 1924 in New Haven, Connecticut.
Ahern was born on November 7, 1924 in New Haven, Connecticut.
Later he attended Harvard Business School.
At the age of 15 he entered New Haven State Teachers College. Ahern died on April 16, 2003 and is buried with Kathryn at Arlington National Cemetery. Ahern originally enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1943 and commissioned an officer the following year.
During World World War II he served with the 731st Bombardment Squadron.
Following the war he was stationed at Enid Army Airfield in Enid, Oklahoma. Later he would transfer to the Air Force upon its inception.
Later he was given command of the 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron based at Truax Air Force Base in Madison, Wisconsin. The squadron would be deployed to fly fighter-interceptor escort during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In 1968 Ahern was given command of the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron before being assigned to Air Defense Command.
He served as Commander of the 57th Fighter Group based in Snohomish County, Washington in 1968 until he was reassigned to The Pentagon. During this time he assisted in modernizing United States. air defenses. His retirement was effective as of December 1, 1978.
He would be assigned to Scott Air Force Base in Saint Clair County, Illinois and Moody Air Force Base in Georgia before serving as Executive Officer to United States. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Thomas D. White. He remained with General White after he was promoted to Chief of Staff, serving as his aide-de-camp until 1960. Later in his career he was named Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff of Research and Development of the Air Force. Awards he received include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Outstanding Unit Award.
