Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry Uniform Grouping

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry Uniform Grouping. Lt. General Tackaberry passed away one year ago and the tributes reposted here are far more eloquent than anything I can write. He was a true soldier and hero and he lead by example. I am very proud to be the caretaker of his uniform grouping part of which I am posting for reference on this forum.

 

Please take time to read about his life and service paying particular attention to his numerous citations and military accomplishments.

 

 

Tackaberry, Thomas H. LTG, U.S. Army (Ret.) LThomas H. Tackaberry (LTG, U.S. Army, ret.) died peacefully in his sleep on April 2, 2017 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His 38 years in the Infantry began on October 23, 1942 at a recruiting station in Los Angeles, CA. His career spanned WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, during which he was recognized with many awards for bravery and valor including three Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal, two Bronze Stars, plus 53 Air Medals. He commanded at all levels, including the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division in Viet Nam, the 82nd Airborne Division and finally the 18th Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, NC. LTG Tackaberry served as Congressional Liaison while assigned to Pentagon in the early 1970s. His command of the 82nd Abn Div was 30 years after having served as a Private and machine gunner in the 50th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Known in the Army as a Soldier's Soldier, LTG Tackaberry loved the troops. Soft spoken and fair, he was a tough decisive leader. As a long distance runner he could stay in front of the troops even as Corps Commander.

 

Published in Washington Times on Aug. 16, 2017

 

 

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

Tribute:

Tom Tackaberry was born on September 6, 1923, in Los Angeles, California. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on October 23, 1942, and went on active duty beginning March 17, 1943. After completing basic training and infantry training, Pvt Tackaberry joined the 541st Parachute Infantry Regiment and completed jump school in 1944. He trained extensively with the 541st while it was held in Strategic Reserve in the United States during World War II, and he entered Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April 1945, receiving his commission as a 2nd Lt of Infantry on August 30, 1945. Lt Tackaberry next served as Commanding Officer of the Parachute School at Fort Benning from August to December 1945, followed by service as Commanding Officer of the 245th Quartermaster Depot Supply Company in Germany from December 1945 to October 1946. After serving with the 279th Quartermaster Company in Germany from October 1946 to April 1947, Lt Tackaberry served as an instructor with the 7719th European Command School Germany from April 1947 to July 1948. His next assignment was as a Platoon Leader and then Executive Officer of the 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from July 1948 to October 1951, followed by the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning from September 1951 to June 1952. Capt Tackaberry served as Commanding Officer of Company K of the 9th Infantry Regiment in Korea from June 1952 to January 1953, and then as Assistant Operations Officer with Headquarters 2nd Infantry Division in Korea from January to August 1953. His next assignment was as an instructor with the Army ROTC detachment at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, from August 1953 to May 1956, followed by Ranger School at Fort Benning from May to August 1956. He then attended Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, from August 1956 to July 1957, before serving as Assistant Plans Officer with Headquarters XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from July 1957 to September 1958. Maj Tackaberry next received an assignment to complete his degree in Psychology at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, from September 1958 to February 1960, followed by service as a Human Factors Research Staff Officer and then Chief of the Human Factors Engineering Branch in the Office of the Chief of Research and Development with Headquarters U.S. Army in the Pentagon from February 1960 to January 1963. LTC Tackaberry attended the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California, for Italian Language training from January to September 1963, and then attended Italian War College in Civitayecchia, Italy, from September 1963 to July 1964. His next assignment was as Plans Officer with the U.S. Army Element at Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy, from July 1964 to June 1965, followed by Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from August 1965 to July 1966. He served as Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam from July 1966 to February 1967, and then as Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Affairs with the 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam from February to July 1967. His next assignment was as Deputy Director in the Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon from September 1967 to March 1968, followed by service as Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Army at the Pentagon from March 1968 to April 1969. Col Tackaberry served as Commanding Officer of the 196th Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam from May to November 1969, and then as Chief of Staff of the 23rd Infantry Division in South Vietnam from November 1969 to May 1970. His next assignment was as Deputy Director for ROTC Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel with Headquarters U.S. Army in the Pentagon from June 1970 to October 1972, followed by service as Chief of Legislative Liaison in the Office of the Secretary of the Army from November 1972 to September 1974. Gen Tackaberry served as Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg from October 1974 to October 1976, and then as Deputy Commander of VII Corps in West Germany from October 1976 to July 1977. His next assignment was as Chief of the U.S. Element of the Central Treaty Organization in Turkey from July 1977 to July 1979, followed by service as Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from July 1979 until his retirement from the Army on October 1, 1981.

http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1562

 

 

 

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Yes, I realize there should be a shirt and tie, but I did not have them in hand. I will provide better images of the sets later. Ed

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry Distinguished Service Cross citations:

 

 

 

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 1 of 9

Distinguished Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Korean War Service: Army Rank: Captain Division: 2d Infantry Division GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 893 (September 29, 1953)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving with Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Captain Tackaberry distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Chorwon, Korea, on 9 September 1952. On that morning, Captain Tackaberry voluntarily left the comparative safety of his command post and moved across a minefield under intense enemy artillery fire to aid a United Nations patrol that had become confused and disorganized when it commander became a casualty. Upon arrival at the scene, Captain Tackaberry, exposing himself to heavy small arms fire, immediately organized litter teams to take care of the wounded and then dispersed the men in small groups to minimize the danger. After instructing the lead group as to the safest route of withdrawal, Captain Tackaberry remained in the rear and covered the group's withdrawal with his own weapon until he was assured that the men had reached the safety of the main line of resistance. Through his courageous actions Captain Tackaberry prevented heavy casualties and saved the lives of many men already wounded. The extraordinary heroism exhibited by Captain Tackaberry on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.

Distinguished Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War Service: Army Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Battalion: 2d Battalion (Airborne) Division: 1st Cavalry Division GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6537 (November 28, 1966)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 September 1966 while serving as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) on a search and destroy operation near Bong Son. At approximately 1500 hours a fifteen man patrol was engaged in an intense fire fight with a reinforced company of the North Vietnamese Army. The platoon leader had been killed and the patrol was pinned down. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry ordered his unarmed command helicopter to land near the action. Running through the intense fire, he reached the besieged patrol and assumed personal command of the unit. He then called for a reserve force to reinforce his position. As the reinforcements arrived in the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry again exposed himself to the full observation and fire of the insurgents as he positioned them for an attack on the North Vietnamese emplacements. With complete disregard for his safety, he personally led the assault on the forward hostile bunkers and succeeded in driving the insurgents from their positions. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry directed and assisted his men in clearing the captured bunkers, steadily forcing the numerically superior hostile unit to withdraw. Receiving word to extract his force, the patrol quickly returned to the landing zone and established a defensive perimeter. Two of the pickup helicopters were hit by intense fire from the rapidly regrouping hostile troops. Despite the threat of an all out insurgent assault on the landing zone, Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry refused to leave until the rest of his men had been extracted. Along with two remaining soldiers, he dauntlessly continued to fire on the advancing hostile troops until being picked up by the unarmed command helicopter. Through his courage and leadership under the most critical of conditions, he contributed immeasurably to saving the trapped patrol from being overrun, and inflicted heavy casualties on the hostile force. Lieutenant Colonel Tackaberry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Distinguished Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War Service: Army Rank: Colonel Division: Americal Division GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4035 (October 31, 1969)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 196th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light). Colonel Tackaberry distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 11 September 1969 while serving as commanding officer of the 196th Infantry Brigade. When Landing Zone Siberia came under intense mortar, recoilless rifle, and heavy automatic weapons fire from three companies of North Vietnamese Regulars, Colonel Tackaberry flew to the besieged firebase. Despite the heavy barrage of fire directed at his craft, Colonel Tackaberry jumped from the helicopter and immediately began assessing the tactical ground situation. Braving the relentless enemy fire, he moved from position to position to instruct, encourage, and direct effective suppressive fire against the determined hostile force. He then left the safety of the firebase to move outside the perimeter, personally directing an assault against the enemy emplacements. Obtaining an M-60 machine gun, he led the attack against the dug-in communists until they were soundly routed. After returning to the firebase, Colonel Tackaberry spent an additional four hours on the landing zone until the perimeter defense was reestablished. Colonel Tackaberry's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

 

 

 

 

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry Silver Star citations: for the Korean War, he received three more Silver Star medals in the Vietnam War

 

AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION: 4 of 9

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Korean War Service: Army Division: 2d Infantry Division GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 355 (October 5, 1952)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company K, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 2 September 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On that date, Captain Tackaberry led a volunteer raiding patrol against a well entrenched enemy position. As the patrol reached a small hill crest near the objective, they were pinned down by enemy fire. Captain Tackaberry led two men down the exposed slope of the hill, silencing one source of the enemy fire by killing the three occupants of an enemy bunker. Returning to the crest of the hill, he paused briefly to secure first aid for the two men that had accompanied him and had been wounded during the action. At this time, the enemy were able to increase their volume of fire by bringing up three light machine guns and several mortar squads. Sensing the danger of the situation and in complete disregard of personal safety, Captain Tackaberry continually exposed himself to the enemy by moving up and down the line many times, directing the fire and shouting words of encouragement. During the action, he grabbed an automatic rifle and silenced one enemy machine gun. Moving to a strategic point nearest the enemy, he began to pour a rain of carbine fire pausing briefly to throw grenades into the bunkers. Many casualties were inflicted upon the enemy by his actions. When the supply of ammunition was beginning to e acute, he directed the patrol in a withdrawal movement, taking care to evacuate all of his wounded and personally giving them covering fire support until they reached the safety of friendly lines. The extraordinary gallantry of Captain Tackaberry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

 

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Korean War Service: Army Division: 2d Infantry Division GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, 2d Infantry Division, General Orders No. 424 (November 10, 1952)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Infantry) Thomas H. Tackaberry (ASN: 0-60504), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company D, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 13 - 14 August 1952 in the vicinity of Chorwon, North Korea. On those dates, Captain Tackaberry, on his own initiative, organized a volunteer patrol to go into enemy-held territory and search for wounded members of another company which had suffered many casualties, and had become disorganized. Under intense small arms fire, and heavy mortar and artillery bombardment, he led his patrol through a known mine field and removed seven wounded men from the danger area. With complete disregard for personal safety, Captain Tackaberry crossed and re-crossed the enemy mine field and removed seven wounded men from the danger area. Under increasingly heavy mortar and artillery fire, and in the presence of known enemy patrols, he moved towards the disorganized patrol's objective, evacuating more wounded men. Moving further up the hillside, they continued to search the area for wounded, and on two separate occasions actually entered the enemy communication trenches. Only after the entire area was completely searched and the wounded evacuated did Captain Tackaberry order his patrol to return to friendly lines. His heroic actions were responsible for saving the lives of many wounded men and prevented many others from being captured by the enemy. The gallantry in action displayed by Captain Tackaberry reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

 

 

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry dress Blue Uniform

 

 

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry dress Blue Uniform

 

 

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry dress Blue Uniform Cap

 

 

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry dress Blue Uniform Cap

 

LTG Tackaberry abbreviated biography

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Tackaberry

[uniformcollector]

A remarkable group from a very historic veteran--thank you for sharing!

[Brian Dentino]

In a word........outstanding! Amazing uniform to someone that is truly an American hero!

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Lieutenant General Thomas H. Tackaberry Portrait

[seanmc1114]

Amazing uniform. Those oak leaf clusters on the DSC and Silver Star ribbons on his blue uniform look like they are silver rather than bronze. Also not the ribbon for the Distinguished Service Medal placed by the Soldier's Medal.

[ganz50]

Really nice stuff

[4STARCHRIS]

Do you still have this uniform? What is the free ribbon below the ribbon bar? Do you have a pic?

4starchris

[warpath]

4 minutes ago, 4STARCHRIS said:

Do you still have this uniform? What is the free ribbon below the ribbon bar? Do you have a pic?

4starchris

Yes. I don't know what you refer to.

[4STARCHRIS]

Post number 1 there is a ribbon bar under the full actual ribbon bar by itself. It looks foriegn. Do you happen to know what it is

4starchris

[Hermanus]

6 minutes ago, 4STARCHRIS said:

Post number 1 there is a ribbon bar under the full actual ribbon bar by itself. It looks foriegn. Do you happen to know what it is

4starchris

 

It's the ribbon version of a German Sports Badge.

[4STARCHRIS]

Thank you very much for all your help.

4starchris

[4STARCHRIS]

Warpath, which version of the uniform do you have? Green, Blue? Does your ribbon bar have the Army DSM on it?

4starchris

[warpath]

I have both, but I don't recall the ribbon bars.

[4STARCHRIS]

Oh nice the green and blues. The dress blues has the Ar DSM at the level of the soldier's medal and on thr minis I was just curious

4starchris

[Acollecter17]

Warpath, 

                  Do you still own these uniforms?