Portrait, Lt Gen Frank C. Tharin, USMC

[kyhistorian01]

Here is a photo from my archive. It was sent to me by one of General Tharin's son's when I wrote seeking infomration on his career. The photo is a little stained, but is a nice original of the general. For those interested here is his bio from his obituary:

 

Los Angeles Times (CA) - April 5, 1990

 

Deceased Name: Lt. Gen. Frank Tharin; Hero of Wake Island

Lt. Gen. Frank C. Tharin, decorated hero of the battle for Wake Island in World War II and former commander at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, has died after a long illness. He was 79.

 

A resident of Laguna Beach, Tharin died March 21 in San Rafael where he had been hospitalized for the past eight months.

 

The Marine aviator won the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals and a Purple Heart for his part in sinking a Japanese cruiser and downing Japanese fighter planes in the 17-day fight over Wake Island. The tiny Pacific atoll fell to the Japanese Dec. 23, 1941, less than three weeks after the two countries went to war.

 

Tharin was one of a handful of Marine pilots who took a heavy toll on attacking Japanese ships and planes before losing the island. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war in Hokkaido, Japan, until the war ended four years later.

 

He served at El Toro first as commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing from October, 1962, to June, 1963, and then returned as commander of Marine Corps Air Bases West from 1964 to 1967.

 

Born Oct. 23, 1910, in Washington, D.C., Tharin graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1934. After the war, he returned to active duty and was graduated from the National War College in 1954.

 

Tharin served as commanding general of both the Eastern and Western region Marine Corps air bases, and of all three active-duty Marine aircraft wings--the 1st, based in Iwakuni, Japan; the 2nd based at Cherry Point, N.C., and the 3rd, at El Toro.

 

After his retirement in 1970, Tharin was active as a leader with Boy Scouts of America, the Marine Corps Aviation Assn. and the Golden Eagles, a group of early Naval aviators.

 

 

Enjoy the photo and history,

 

robert

[m1ashooter]

There is something about pictures of senior Marine officers and NCO's that jump out at me. All of them indicated to me a level of confidence and a sense of, you mess with me and I'll mess you up. Great picture.

[Brian Keith]

Great photo!

Rare "W" on his ribbon!

BKW

[teufelhunde.ret]

The classic "50 yard stare". Life in the POW camps were #$*$@^& hell...

[Teamski]

Definately a great photo!!

 

-Ski

[Guest wildturkey]

From: Glenn A, Hill COL AUS ret.

According to my family history I believe that LTG Frank Cunningham Tharin's Father and my Grandfather were brother's. I have been told that his father named LTG Tharin in honor of my grandfather Frank Marion Tharin of Charleston, SC. Does anyone out there know how to contact LTG Tharin's son Felix, who I believe is now serving in the Marine Corps??

Glenn

[Guest wildturkey]

LTG Tharin's father and my grandfather (Frank Marion Tharin) were brothers. I am trying to locate any of LTG Tharin's decendents who may be interested in the Tharin Family geneology. I know that LTG Tharin was born in Aiken, SC, but do not know decendents of his family.

 

Glenn A. Hill Col AUS, ret