Three Wars, Two Branches
by Geoffry Monteith
USS Enterprise (source: usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil)
Neal Andrew A’Hern
January 20, 1923-February 9, 1996
Neal Andrew A’Hern Jr., born January 20, 1923, would eventually serve in two service branches across the Second World War, the Korean War, and, briefly, the Vietnam War. While Neal himself was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, every member of his immediate family hailed from Colorado.[1] Neal A’Hern Sr. was himself a veteran of the First World War, serving in the Army.[2] To support the family, he worked as an accountant, clerk, and other occupations thorough the years for various Denver firms.[3] The A’Hern family resided in Denver for the majority of Neal Jr.’s upbringing. In 1942, Neal Jr. worked for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company while his younger brother William attended the University of Denver.[4] That same year, Neal and William both registered for the draft.
Beginning his career in October of 1942, Neal would first serve in the Navy. By 1943, Neal served as a crewman aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise.[5] Commissioned in 1938, the USS Enterprise had one of the most extensive histories of the Pacific theatre. The crew of the enterprise participated in the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign to name a few.[6] After Neal A’Hern joined the crew in 1943, the USS Enterprise participated in many of the major operations in the region: from Guadalcanal, the Philippine Sea, and Leyte Gulf to Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[7] For its service history, the USS Enterprise has the distinction of being the most decorated ship of the Second World War.[8] A’Hern continued his service aboard the USS Enterprise for the duration of the war, and would have participated in all these engagements.[9]
Soon thereafter, Neal’s service continued briefly through the Korean War. After returning home, Neal married Margaret C. Haskins.[10] The couple lived in the Denver area throughout their shared life, and together had two children. First, they welcomed a son named Cornealius and, second, a daughter named Nancy.[11] In 1957, while living in Aurora, Neal worked as a telephone technician.[12] Then, in January 1968, during the Vietnam War, Neal enlisted in the Air Force.[13] The year 1968 proved to be an incredibly important year during the conflict. Renewed hostilities led to the beginning of the Tet Offensive in January, and by the end of the year one would see the conclusion of Operation Rolling Thunder. Neal’s service at this time was brief, and he left the Air Force one year later at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Though A’Hern only served during one year of this conflict, it proved to be at an incredibly pivotal time during the long and complex affair.
After serving in Vietnam, Neal returned to Denver and worked at a local telephone company at various positions such as supervisor and sales manager.[14] The A’hern family continued to live in the Denver area until Neal’s death on February 9, 1996.[15] Both Lieutenant Colonel A’Hern and his wife now rest in Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Footnotes ↓
[1] “U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.” ancestry.com, entry for Neal Andrew Ahern, Colorado.
[2] “Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death Files.” fold3.com, entry for Neal Ahern (1923), Colorado.
[3] “U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.” ancestry.com, entry for Neal Ahern, Denver, 1936.
[4] “U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.” ancestry.com, entry for Neal Andrew Ahern, Colorado.
[5] “WWII Navy Muster Rolls.” fold3.com, entry for Neal Andrew A’Hern Jr., USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), October 31, 1943.
[6] “USS Enterprise (CV-6).” National Museum of the U.S. Navy, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/ships-us/ships-usn-e/uss-enterprise-cv-6.html.
[7] “USS Enterprise (CV-6).” National Museum of the U.S. Navy, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/ships-us/ships-usn-e/uss-enterprise-cv-6.html.
[8] “USS Enterprise (CV-6).” National Museum of the U.S. Navy, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nmusn/explore/photography/ships-us/ships-usn-e/uss-enterprise-cv-6.html.
[9] “U.S. Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949.” ancestry.com, entry for Neal Andrew Ahern Jr., USS Enterprise, June 30, 1944.
[10] “Margaret c. A’Hern Obituary.” The Denver Post, December 14, 2011.
[11] “Margaret c. A’Hern Obituary.” The Denver Post, December 14, 2011.
[12] “U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.” ancestry.com, entry for Neal A A’Hern Jr., Denver, Colorado, 1957.
[13] “Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death Files.” fold3.com, entry for Neal Ahern (1923), Colorado.
[14] “U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.”ancestry.com, entry for Neal A Ahern, Denver, 1976.
[15] “Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death Files.” fold3.com, entry for Neal Ahern (1923), Colorado.
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