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Thomas Leonard Harrold

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Thomas Leonard Harrold
Harrold as Commandant of the National War College
Born(1902-06-21)21 June 1902
San Diego, California, US
Died16 June 1973(1973-06-16) (aged 70)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1925–1961
RankLieutenant General
CommandsNational War College
United States Army Caribbean Command
III Corps
8th Infantry Division
10th Mountain Division
1st Cavalry Division
United States Army Armor School
3rd Constabulary Brigade
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (3)

Thomas Leonard Harrold (21 June 1902 – 16 June 1973) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He was commander of the 9th Armored Division, United States Army Armor School, 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, III Corps, and United States Army Caribbean. From 1958 to 1961 he served as commandant of the National War College.

Early life

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At West Point in 1925

Harrold was born in San Diego, California on 21 June 1902. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1925 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Cavalry.[1]

Early career

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From 1926 to 1927, Harrold was the adjutant for the 7th Cavalry Regiment.[2] He graduated from the Cavalry Officers Course in 1930.[3] Harrold served as an instructor at West Point in the early 1930s.[4] In the early 1940s, Harrold was in charge of army recruiting for the area that included Connecticut.[5] In 1942, Harrold graduated from the Command and the General Staff College.[6]

During World War II, Harrold commanded Combat Command A, 9th Armored Division, serving from 27 August 1944 to 3 May 1945.[7] Harrold led his command during combat in Europe, including a key role in repelling the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge.[8][9][10]

Harrold commanded the 9th Armored Division from 1945 to 1946.[11][12]

Senior command

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From 1946 to 1947, Harrold served as commander of the 3rd Constabulary Brigade in West Germany.[13][14] Harrold served as Director of Civil Affairs for the United States Army European Command from 1947 to 1949.[15][16] From 1949 to 1951, Harrold served as commander of the United States Army Armor School and Fort Knox.[17][18][19][20]

Harrold as commander of the 1st Cavalry Division

Harrold briefly served as deputy commander of I Corps in 1951, but was soon transferred to commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. He served from July 1951 to March 1952, receiving promotion to major general and leading the division during the Korean War.[21][22] Harrold commanded the division during its stationing at Hokkaido, the northernmost island in Japan, where it carried out combat training, electronic surveillance and defense of Japan from potential attacks by the Soviet Union or China.[23]

From February 1953 to June 1954, Harrold was commander of the 10th Mountain Division.[24] Harrold commanded the 8th Infantry Division from August to November 1954.[25][26] General Harrold served as commander of the III Corps at Fort Hood from 1954 to 1956.[27][28][29][30][31] From 1956 to 1958, Harrold served as commander of the United States Army Caribbean Command.[32][33][34] Harrold was Commandant of the National War College from 1958 until his 1961 retirement.[35]

Awards and decorations

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Harrold's decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Silver Star (two awards), Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal (three awards).[36][37]

Retirement and death

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In retirement, Harrold resided at Fort Lauderdale, Florida,[38] where he died on 16 June 1973.[39] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 2 Site E-508.[40]

Personal life

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Harrold was married to Emily Draper of Troy, New York. They had one child, Sally, who was born in 1937.[41]

References

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  1. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 228
  2. ^ [Skirmish – Red, White and Blue: The History of the 7th U.S. Cavalry, 1945–1953], by Edward L. Daily, 1992, p. 114
  3. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1946, p. 298
  4. ^ Official Register of the Officers and Cadets Archived July 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, United States Military Academy, published by the academy, 1934, p. 12
  5. ^ Newspaper article, Local Stampede For Enlistment Surpasses 1917, Hartford Courant, December 10, 1941
  6. ^ Armed Forces Journal International, published by Army and Navy Journal, Inc., Volume 80, Issues 27–52, 1943, p. 1443
  7. ^ List of Commanders and Staff, 9th Armored Division Order of Battle of the United States Army in World War II, European Theater of Operations, published by the Theater Historian, 1945, p. 498
  8. ^ The Bitter Woods, by John S.D. Eisenhower, 1995, p. 211
  9. ^ A Time for Trumpets: The Untold Story of the Battle of the Bulge, by Charles B. MacDonald, 1997, p. 356
  10. ^ Hitler's Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – January 1945, by Trevor Nevitt Dupuy, David L. Bongard, Richard C. Anderson (Jr.), and Richard Claire Anderson, 1994, p. 129
  11. ^ Newspaper article, Edward F. Brandt Awarded Bronze Star Medal, Titonka (Iowa) Topic, September 20, 1945
  12. ^ New York State Journal of Medicine, published by the Medical Society of the State of New York, 1945, Volume 45, Issues 13–24, page 2234
  13. ^ Richard O'Regan (22 October 1946). "55 Are Taken Into Custody At Stuttgart". Schenectady Gazette. Associated Press.
  14. ^ Through Mobility We Conquer: The Mechanization of U.S. Cavalry, George F. Hofmann, 2006, p. 425
  15. ^ Armed Forces Journal International, published by Army and Navy Journal, Inc., 1947, Volume 84, Issues 27–52, p. 1286
  16. ^ Information Bulletin, published by U.S. Office of Military Government, Provisional Office of Administration, 1949, Volumes 152–169, p. 19
  17. ^ Ed Creagh (10 October 1950). "Today's Soldier is Treated as a Human Being". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press.
  18. ^ "General Harrold Hints At Deadly New Weapon". Baltimore Sun. 6 September 1950. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
  19. ^ Ed Creagh (11 October 1950). "Battle Tested Old Sarge Gives Recruits Briefings on Tanks". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Associated Press.
  20. ^ A. A. Hoehling (24 September 1950). "Give Them Firepower! How Will Our Tanks Fare In An All-Out War?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
  21. ^ Former Leaders, 1st Cavalry Division Archived July 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, published by Fort Hood, Texas Public Affairs Officer, 2010, accessed April 16, 2011
  22. ^ From Pusan to Panmunjom, by Paik Sun Yup, 1999, p. 131
  23. ^ 1st Cavalry Division: A Spur Ride Through the 20th Century from Horses to the Digital Battlefield, by Turner Publishing Company, 2003, p. 59
  24. ^ List of Division Commanders Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, 10th Mountain Division Organization published by 10th Mountain Division Veterans Association, undated (after 2007), accessed April 16, 2011
  25. ^ "10th Division Head Gets Command at Fort Riley". The New York Times. 16 August 1954. p. 7.
  26. ^ "Gen. Gay Assigned; He Will Command 5th Army Based at Chicago". The New York Times. 10 September 1954. p. 6.
  27. ^ "Gen. Harrold to Command Ft. Hood". Pampa Daily News. 12 September 1954.
  28. ^ "Ike Will Not Order War, 11,000 Troops to Train Here". Galveston Daily News. 5 April 1956.
  29. ^ Newspaper photo caption, Poage Visits Hood, Waco News-Tribune, October 7, 1955
  30. ^ "Harrold Gets New Post". Pacific Stars and Stripes. 16 April 1956.
  31. ^ "Harrold Leaves For Caribbean". Gatesville Messenger And Star Forum. 8 June 1956.
  32. ^ "LaGuardia Gives Leave for Troops". Montreal Gazette. 24 December 1957.
  33. ^ The American Legion Magazine, published by American Legion, Volumes 62–63, 1957, p. 49
  34. ^ Army, Navy, and Air Force Journal, published by Army and Navy Journal Inc. Volume 95, Issues 1–26, 1957, p. 693
  35. ^ List of Commandants Archived 2012-03-16 at the Wayback Machine, National War College Alumni Association web site, accessed April 16, 2011
  36. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 362
  37. ^ List of Recipients of Major Military Awards, Hall of Valor web site, published by Military Times, accessed April 16, 2011
  38. ^ Social Security Death Index
  39. ^ Florida Death Index, 1877–1998
  40. ^ Thomas L. Harrold entry, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Nationwide Gravesite Locator
  41. ^ American men in government: a biographical dictionary and directory of Federal officials, by Jerome M. Rosow, 1949, p. 173
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