Thomas Tackaberry
Thomas Howard Tackaberry | |
|---|---|
 LTG. Thomas H. Tackaberry | |
| Nickname(s) | Tom |
| Born | September 6, 1923 Los Angeles, California |
| Died | April 3, 2017 (aged 93) Fayetteville, North Carolina |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1981 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands | United States Army Airborne School 245th Quartermaster Depot Supply Company Platoon, 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division 196th Infantry Brigade 82nd Airborne Division XVIII Airborne Corps |
| Battles / wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (3) Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (5) Legion of Merit (3) Distinguished Flying Cross Soldier's Medal Bronze Star (3) Purple Heart Air Medal (52) |
Thomas Howard Tackaberry (September 6, 1923 – April 3, 2017) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War and was a recipient of three Distinguished Service Crosses and served as Commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps from 1979 to 1981.[1][2] Tackaberry is one of the highly decorated officers in the U.S. Army. He ranks among the 10 most decorated military servicemembers in the U.S. military history.
In 1952, while serving as a company commander, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism near Chorwon, Korea when he voluntarily went to relieve a patrol which had lost its commander. Tackaberry directed the soldiers back toward their own lines and personally covered their retreat at the risk of his own life. He also received two Silver Stars for his service in Korea.[3]
Vietnam War
In 1966 Tackaberry was serving in Vietnam as a lieutenant colonel and earned another Distinguished Service Cross for heroism near Bồng Sơn, South Vietnam, when he led a search and destroy operation in which a 15-man platoon was pinned down and its leader killed. He then ordered his unarmed command helicopter to land near the firefight and ran through intense enemy fire to reach the platoon and assume command. When reinforcements arrived, he led an assault on enemy bunkers, forcing the larger North Vietnamese force to retreat.[4]
In 1969, he had been promoted to colonel and was the brigade commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade when he earned a third Distinguished Service Cross, making him one of the few individuals who had earned three or more Distinguished Service Crosses. Tackaberry also received three more Silver Stars for his service in Vietnam. He then served as Chief of Staff of the 23rd Infantry Division.
Later life
Tackaberry and his wife Lilian had six children. Their twin sons, Burt and Kief Tackaberry served as officers in the Army. His grandson, Lt Col. Jonathan P. Tackaberry took command of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment on May 2017.[5]
Tackaberry died on April 3, 2017.[6][7] He was predeceased by his son Richard and daughter Elizabeth. He is buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on August 23, 2017.
Awards and decorations
His military awards include: [8]
| ||
.svg){kind=icon}
| ||
  | ||
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
   
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
|
 
|
|
  |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Valorous Unit Award with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation | Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm |
References
- ^ Martell, P.; Hayes, G.P.; Dupuy, T.N. (1974). World Defence Who's who. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 9780356080031. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
- ^ "Thomas H. Tackaberry". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ "Valor awards for Thomas H. Tackaberry". Military Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5898#13546
- ^ http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20170504/third-generation-paratrooper-takes-command-of-fort-bragg-squadron
- ^ Brooks, Drew (April 5, 2017). "One of the Army's most decorated soldiers, former commander of 82nd Airborne and Fort Bragg, dies". Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Staff (April 6, 2017). "Retired Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, former commander of Fort Bragg, dies". Army Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5898
External links
- 1923 births
- 2017 deaths
- United States Army generals
- American army personnel of World War II
- American army personnel of the Korean War
- American army personnel of the Vietnam War
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Soldier's Medal
- People from Los Angeles
- Military personnel from California