Thomas B. Larkin
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant General Thomas Bernard Larkin (15 December 1890 – 17 October 1968) was a military officer who served as the 32nd Quartermaster General of the United States Army
.
and attended the Gonzaga University
in Spokane, Washington
. In 1915 he graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point ("the class the stars fell on
") and was sent to Mexico
in 1916 with the 2nd Engineers
. After returning to the US he graduated in 1917 from the Engineer School at Washington Barracks, Washington, D.C.
and in December was sent to France. He was awarded the Silver Star
for his reconnaissance efforts during the Second Battle of the Marne
during July 1918.
From 1921-1923 he served as the Assistant Military Attache for the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. In 1927 he graduated from the Army Industrial College; in 1929 from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
, Kansas; and in 1938 from the Army War College.
Commander
, and Elizabeth Irwin. One of their sons, Harrison S. Larkin, was a First Lieutenant
in the United States Air Force
and was killed when his plane crashed on April 28, 1950. The Larkin Conference Center at Fort Lee was named for Lieutenant Larkin. Another son, Thomas B. Larkin, Jr., was a Lieutenant
in the United States Navy. All four Larkins, as well as the Irwins, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery
.
Through the Irwins, Larkin was also a relative of Rear Admiral Harold Percival Norton
, also buried at Arlington.
as Supervisory Engineer in charge of Third Locks Project, and as Special Assistant to the Governor of the Canal Zone in charge of special civil defense
.
In February 1943 he became Commanding General for Services of Supply in the North African Theatre, and later Commander for the Communications Zone in North Africa
. For his efforts in supplying the combat troops during the Tunisian Campaign he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in June 1943. He was also awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal in November 1944 for his role in planning the invasion of southern France and support of the 5th Army in Italy.
On February 1, 1946 he became Quartermaster General
of the US Army, serving in this position until March 20, 1949. He retired with grade of lieutenant general
in 1952.
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star
, Legion of Merit
, Bronze Star, Mexican Campaign Medal, World War I Victory Medal, World War I Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal; European, African, Middle East Campaign Medal; American Defense Medal, and World War II Occupation Medal.
Foreign decorations: French
Croix de Guerre
with Palm, the Brazil
ian Order of Military Merit, the Order of the Crown of Italy
(Grand Order), the British Order of the Bath
Companion, and the Polish
Gold Cross with Sword.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Early life
Larkin was born in Louisburg, WisconsinLouisburg, Wisconsin
Louisburg is an unincorporated community in Grant County, Wisconsin, within the town of Jamestown. The zipcode is 53807. Louisburg Creek flows through the area....
and attended the Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
. In 1915 he graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point ("the class the stars fell on
The class the stars fell on
"The class the stars fell on" is an expression used to describe the United States Military Academy class of 1915. In the U.S. Army, the insignia reserved for generals is one or more stars. Of the 164 graduates that year, 59 attained the rank of general, the most of any class in the history of the...
") and was sent to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 1916 with the 2nd Engineers
2nd Engineer Battalion (United States)
The 2nd Engineer Battalion is an engineering battalion in the United States Army which can trace its lineage back to 1861.-Lineage:Organized 31 December 1861 in the Regular Army at Washington, D.C., from new and existing companies of engineers as a provisional engineer battalion Expanded 14 March-7...
. After returning to the US he graduated in 1917 from the Engineer School at Washington Barracks, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and in December was sent to France. He was awarded the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for his reconnaissance efforts during the Second Battle of the Marne
Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne , or Battle of Reims was the last major German Spring Offensive on the Western Front during the First World War. The German attack failed when an Allied counterattack led by France overwhelmed the Germans, inflicting severe casualties...
during July 1918.
From 1921-1923 he served as the Assistant Military Attache for the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. In 1927 he graduated from the Army Industrial College; in 1929 from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, Kansas; and in 1938 from the Army War College.
Marriage and children
Larkin would marry Mary Irwin. She was the daughter of William, a United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
, and Elizabeth Irwin. One of their sons, Harrison S. Larkin, was a First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and was killed when his plane crashed on April 28, 1950. The Larkin Conference Center at Fort Lee was named for Lieutenant Larkin. Another son, Thomas B. Larkin, Jr., was a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the United States Navy. All four Larkins, as well as the Irwins, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
.
Through the Irwins, Larkin was also a relative of Rear Admiral Harold Percival Norton
Harold Percival Norton
Harold Percival Norton was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy.-Biography:Norton was born on November 4, 1855 in New York. He would marry Mary Barbour in 1911. Norton died on February 11, 1933 in Washington, D.C. and is buried with Mary at Arlington National Cemetery. Through his wife he was...
, also buried at Arlington.
Military career
Larkin served a tour of duty in the Panama Canal ZonePanama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
as Supervisory Engineer in charge of Third Locks Project, and as Special Assistant to the Governor of the Canal Zone in charge of special civil defense
Civil defense
Civil defense, civil defence or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state from military attack. It uses the principles of emergency operations: prevention, mitigation, preparation, response, or emergency evacuation, and recovery...
.
In February 1943 he became Commanding General for Services of Supply in the North African Theatre, and later Commander for the Communications Zone in North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. For his efforts in supplying the combat troops during the Tunisian Campaign he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in June 1943. He was also awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal in November 1944 for his role in planning the invasion of southern France and support of the 5th Army in Italy.
On February 1, 1946 he became Quartermaster General
Quartermaster general
A Quartermaster general is the staff officer in charge of supplies for a whole army.- The United Kingdom :In the United Kingdom, the Quartermaster-General to the Forces is one of the most senior generals in the British Army...
of the US Army, serving in this position until March 20, 1949. He retired with grade of lieutenant general
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
in 1952.
Awards and decorations
Larkin was the recipient of numerous awards including the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, Bronze Star, Mexican Campaign Medal, World War I Victory Medal, World War I Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal; European, African, Middle East Campaign Medal; American Defense Medal, and World War II Occupation Medal.
Foreign decorations: French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
with Palm, the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Order of Military Merit, the Order of the Crown of Italy
Order of the Crown of Italy
The Order of the Crown of Italy was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate the unification of Italy in 1861...
(Grand Order), the British Order of the Bath
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
Companion, and the Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Gold Cross with Sword.