Thomas Tackaberry

Thomas Howard Tackaberry
LTG. Thomas H. Tackaberry
Nickname(s)Tom
Born(1923-09-06)September 6, 1923
Los Angeles, California
DiedApril 3, 2017(2017-04-03) (aged 93)
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Buried
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1942–1981
RankLieutenant General
CommandsXVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
196th Infantry Brigade
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
AwardsDistinguished 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] "Described as a 'grunt's angel', Lt. Gen. Tackaberry was devoted to his men, not only ensuring they were always supplied for the fight but physically prepared as well. Leading from the front, Lt. Gen. Tackaberry set a high bar for fitness with his men and led them on long training runs", stated Richard Hudson to the 115th congressional session on May 19, 2017.[3]

Korean War

In 1952, while serving as a company commander, Tackaberry 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.[4]

Vietnam War

LTG Tackaberry

In 1966 Tackaberry was serving in Vietnam as a lieutenant colonel and earned an oak leaf cluster to his 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.[5]

Col. Thomas Tackaberry the brigade commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade.

In 1969, he had been promoted to colonel and was the brigade commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade when he earned a second oak leaf cluster to his 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 eldest grandson, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew S. Tackaberry took command of the 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment from June 2015 to 2017. Another grandson, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan P. Tackaberry took command of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment in May 2017.[[6]

Tackaberry retired from military service after 38 years. He then transitioned to managing a real estate business and counseling in the military of the Republic of China for BDC Corp. Tackaberry remained dedicated to fitness all his life to include at the age of 93 years old and confined to a wheel chair. After being challenged by a family member he completed 10 push-ups on his feet.[3]

Tackaberry died on April 3, 2017.[7][8] 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: [9]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
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
Bronze oak leaf cluster
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. ^ a b "Congressional Record" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2019. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "Valor awards for Thomas H. Tackaberry". Military Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  5. ^ "Thomas Tackaberry – Recipient -".
  6. ^ "Third generation paratrooper takes command of Fort Bragg squadron".
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Staff (April 6, 2017). "Retired Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, former commander of Fort Bragg, dies". Army Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  9. ^ "Thomas Tackaberry – Recipient -".