Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Aaron
Lendon
Bearden
POW (WWII)
September 25, 1917

–

July 18, 1987

Buried: 

Houston

, 

Texas

Cemetery:

Woodlawn Cemetery

During World War II, Aaron Bearden became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    459th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Japan)

    Action Date:

    September 3, 1944 – May 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 13979

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Aaron Lendon Bearden (ASN: 0-748524), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations on 3 September 1944, and was held by the Japanese as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military Control in May 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    459th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    80th Fighter Group

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Aaron Lendon Bearden (ASN: 0-748524), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, TENTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.