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First Name: John

Last Name: Throckmorton

Birthplace: Kansas City, MO, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Lathrop



Date of Birth: 28 February 1913

Date of Death: 13 February 1986

Rank: General

Years Served: 1935-1973
John Lathrop Throckmorton

   
Graduate, U.S. Military Academy, Class of 1935

Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

John Lathrop Throckmorton
General, U.S. Army

John Lathrop Throckmorton was born on 28 February 1913 in Kansas City, MO. After graduating from Culver Military Academy in 1931, he attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated on 12 June 1935. He was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry.

He married Regina Theresa Higgins on 16 October 1937.

In World War II, he was assigned to the G3 Section, First Army in the European Theater of Operations from 1943 to 1946. After the war, he served in the TAC Department at West Point from 1946 to 1949. He took command of a battalion in the 5th Regimental Combat Team in Hawaii from 1949 to 1950 and later became the regimental combat team commander from 1950 to 1951 during the Korean War.

After the Korean War, he attended the National War College in 1954, and later became Commandant of Cadets at West Point from 1956 to 1959.

He served from 1959 to 1960 as Assistant Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, followed by an assignment as Secretary General Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff Army from 1960 to 1962.

He took command of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1962 to 1964, then deployed to Vietnam as Deputy Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, (MACV) from 1964 to 1965. His service in Vietnam was followed by an assignment as Deputy Commander, Office of the Chief Army Reserve from 1965 to 1966.

He held successive commands as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps (1967); Commanding General, Third U.S. Army, (1967-1969); and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strike Command, (1969-1973).

General Throckmorton retired in Fayetteville, NC, in 1973.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal with Award Numeral 2
Army Commendation Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross 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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Lathrop Throckmorton (ASN: 0-19732), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 5th Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. Lieutenant Colonel Throckmorton distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Waewan-Kumchon area of Korea, on 17 and 18 September 1950. On these dates the 5th Cavalry Regiment attacked the key cities of Waegwan and Kumchon, capturing them, and succeeded in breaking the iron ring of the Pusan perimeter. During the entire successful engagement, Colonel Throckmorton personally directed the assaults of his forward battalions and front line companies. With utter disregard for his own personal safety, he moved from position to position along the entire front, exposing himself to heavy enemy small-arms, mortar, and direct tank fire in order to command his troops with the utmost effectiveness. East of Kumchon he assumed a position with the lead tanks some three hundred yards in advance of the foremost infantry. Despite intense enemy fire, which hit two friendly tanks in his immediate vicinity, he remained in his exposed position to personally supervise the movement of the leading tanks and infantry assault companies. His gallant leadership under the most adverse conditions inspired the men of his command to fight with an unconquerable will to succeed.

General Orders: Headquarters, Eighth U.S. Army, Korea: General Orders No. 79 (February 17, 1951)

Honors

The library at Fort Bragg, NC, is named in his honor.

Death and Burial

General John Lathrop Throckmorton died on 13 February 1986. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 7A. His wife, Regina, was buried next to him after her death on 19 October 1990.



Honoree ID: 341   Created by: MHOH

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