Thomas Tackaberry

Thomas Howard 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	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]"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] 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.

Years of Service

U.S. Army Reserve 1942-1943

U.S. Army 1943-1981

World War II 1942-1945

Cold War 1945-1981

Korean War 1952-1953

Vietnam War 1966-1967, 1969-1970

Korean War

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.[4]

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.[5]

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

In 1969, he had been promoted to colonel|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 eldest grandson, Lt Col. Andrew S. Tackaberry took command of 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment from June 2015 to 2017. Another grandson, Lt Col. Jonathan P. Tackaberry took command of 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment on May 2017.[[6] Lt. Gen. 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 very 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]

Thomas 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]

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

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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.
"Congressional Record" (PDF). U.S. Government Publishing Office. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 10 May 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
"Valor awards for Thomas H. Tackaberry". Military Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
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.
Staff (April 6, 2017). "Retired Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, former commander of Fort Bragg, dies". Army Times. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/5898

External links

Veteran tribute in honor of General Tackaberry