John Joseph Ahern, Jr. was born on August 10, 1922, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the son of John J. Ahern and May G. Sullivan Ahern. He was married to Margaret Agnes Murray Ahern.

During World War II, he served in the 527th Bomber Squadron, 379th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Pilot of the B-17G #44-8275. He was killed in the crash of his plane on December 16, 1944, in Bozeat, England, during a bombing mission. He is now buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA.

From www.americanairmuseum.com: Killed in Action (KIA) Saved village of Bozeat England by keeping plane from hitting village church. All the rest of the crew bailed out. The mission had been recalled because of bad weather. Three engines quit, the plane still had its bomb load. A/C crashed and exploded on pilot, the rest of the crew bailed out.