Thomas Tackaberry

Thomas Howard Tackaberry
LTG. Thomas H. Tackaberry
Nickname(s) Tom
Born (1923-09-06)September 6, 1923
Los Angeles, California
Died April 3, 2017(2017-04-03) (aged 93)
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1942–1981
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands held 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

LTG Tackaberry

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]
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Bronze star
Silver star
Silver star
Combat Infantryman Badge
(2nd Award)
Master Parachutist Badge
Distinguished Service Cross
with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star
with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit
with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters		 Distinguished Flying Cross Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star
with 2 bronze oak leaf clusters		 Purple Heart Air Medal
with Combat V and Award numerals 52
Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal
with 1 bronze oak leaf cluster		 Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
with 1 bronze service star		 Korean Service Medal
with 3 bronze campaign stars		 Vietnam Service Medal
with 1 silver and 1 bronze campaign stars
Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon
with Award numeral 7		 Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
with 2 Palms
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
with 2 Silver Stars		 Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal
(1st Class)		 Vietnam Staff Service Medal
(1st Class)
United Nations Korea Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Republic of Korea War Service Medal
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

  1. ↑ Martell, P.; Hayes, G.P.; Dupuy, T.N. (1974). World Defence Who's who. Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 9780356080031. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  2. ↑ "Thomas H. Tackaberry". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  3. ↑ "Valor awards for Thomas H. Tackaberry". Military Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  4. ↑ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5898#13546
  5. ↑ http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20170504/third-generation-paratrooper-takes-command-of-fort-bragg-squadron
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ Staff (April 6, 2017). "Retired Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, former commander of Fort Bragg, dies". Army Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  8. ↑ https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5898
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