Richard J. Tallman (March 28, 1925 – July 9, 1972) was a United States Army brigadier general who was killed by North Vietnamese artillery fire in 1972 during the Battle of An Lộc.[1] He was the last U.S. Army general to die in the Vietnam War. He was on his third tour in South Vietnam.[2]
Richard J. Tallman | |
|---|---|
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| Born | March 28, 1925 Wayne County, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 1972 (aged 47) An Lộc, South Vietnam |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1972 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands | 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Silver Star Legion of Merit (4) Purple Heart Combat Infantryman Badge (3) |
Early life and education
editHe was born in Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.[3] Tallman married Evelyn Phillips in 1949. They had seven children.[3] He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1943. After serving as an enlisted soldier in World War II he was admitted to West Point where he graduated in 1949 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the regular Army.
U.S. Army career
editShortly after high school graduation he was drafted into the Army and sent to the European theatre as an infantrymen. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge as a machine gunner within the 42nd Infantry Division. During World War II he earned a battlefield (reserve) commission from private first class to 2nd lieutenant.[citation needed]
1st Lt Tallman saw action during the Korean War in 1951-2 with the 3rd Infantry Division.
He served as a tactical officer and military history teacher and as assistant commandant of cadets at West Point.
Vietnam War
editTallman served as senior advisor to the ARVN 22nd Infantry Division in 1964.[3]
Then-Lieutenant Colonel Tallman commanded the 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment in 1967.[3]
On 18 June 1971, then-Colonel Tallman became commander of the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division.
In January 1972 he was appointed as chief of staff of Third [Military] Regional Assistance Command (TRAC) which was responsible for overseeing all U.S. military advisors throughout the 3rd Military Region. On 27 June he was appointed deputy commander of TRAC and was promoted to brigadier general on 28 June.[3]
Death
editOn 9 July 1972, Tallman and his aides had just landed at An Lộc to observe ARVN counter-offensive operations at the conclusion of the Battle of An Lộc when they were hit by North Vietnamese artillery fire, three of the group were killed instantly, while Tallman and two others were wounded. The wounded men were evacuated to the 3rd Field Hospital in Saigon where Tallman died of his wounds.[4][3] He was the last U.S. Army general to die in South Vietnam.[2][5]
Memorials
editThe Brigadier General Richard J. Tallman Memorial Bridge in Honesdale is named in his honor.[6]
See also (U.S. general officers killed during the Vietnam War)
editReferences
edit- ^ "Richard Tallman, Brigadier General, United States Army". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Richard Joseph Tallman". HonorStates.org. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "U.S. General dies in An Loc shelling". The New York Times. 10 July 1972.
- ^ Willbanks, James (2005). The Battle of An Loc. Indiana University Press. p. 145. ISBN 9780253344816.
- ^ Ward, Geoffrey; Burns, Ken (2017). The Vietnam War An Intimate History. Alfred A. Knopf. p. 498. ISBN 978-0307700254.
- ^ "Brigadier General Richard J. Tallman Memorial Bridge – Designation – Act of Jul. 7, 2011, P.L. 273, No. 58 Cl. 87" (PDF). Pennsylvania General Assembly. July 7, 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2014.