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| image_size = 125px
| image_size = 125px
| caption = Tarkington, {{circa}} 1958
| caption = Tarkington, {{circa}} 1958

| birth_date = {{birth date|1896|03|15}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1896|03|15}}
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1996|10|08|1896|03|15}}
| birth_place = [[Oxford, North Carolina]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Oxford, North Carolina]], U.S.
⚫
| death_date = {{death date and age|1996|10|08|1896|03|15}}
| death_place = [[Orange Park, Florida]], U.S.
| death_place = ''Unknown''{{efn|The [[Social Security Death Index]] notes Tarkington's last place of residence as [[Orange Park, Florida]],<ref name=index>{{cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/31609900/hiram-w-tarkington-us-social-security-death-index |title=Social Security Death Index |publisher=[[Social Security Administration]] |via=fold3.com |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 15, 2024}}</ref> but a source stating his place of death is currently lacking.}}

| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgpUYXJraW5ndG9uEgVIaXJhbQ--/|accessdate=September 15, 2024|website=ANC Explorer|title=Burial detail: Tarkington, Hiram W}}</ref>
| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgpUYXJraW5ndG9uEgVIaXJhbQ--/|accessdate=September 15, 2024|website=ANC Explorer|title=Burial detail: Tarkington, Hiram W}}</ref>
| allegiance = United States
| allegiance = United States
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}}
}}


'''Hiram Wendell Tarkington''' (March 15, 1896 – October 8, 1996)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/record/31609900/hiram-w-tarkington-us-social-security-death-index |title=Social Security Death Index |publisher=[[Social Security Administration]] |via=fold3.com |url-access=subscription |accessdate=September 15, 2024}}</ref> was a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in [[United States Army]] known for commanding the [[61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)|61st Field Artillery Regiment]] of the [[Philippine Army]] from November 1941 to May 1942. He was captured and became [[prisoner of war]] after the surrender of American forces in the Philippines. He was imprisoned in [[Mukden]], [[Manchuria]], in 1942 and was released in 1945. He retired from the Army in 1954.<ref name=retired/>
'''Hiram Wendell Tarkington''' (March 15, 1896 – October 8, 1996)<ref name=index/> was a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in [[United States Army]] known for commanding the [[61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)|61st Field Artillery Regiment]] of the [[Philippine Army]] from November 1941 to May 1942. He was captured and became [[prisoner of war]] after the surrender of American forces in the Philippines. He was imprisoned in [[Mukden]], [[Manchuria]], in 1942 and was released in 1945. He retired from the Army in 1954.<ref name=retired/>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
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=== World War II ===
=== World War II ===
In 1941, Tarkington was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] and was sent to the Philippines to help train the [[Philippine Army]] during their expansion in anticipation of Japanese aggression in Asia. He arrived in November along with other officers, mostly reserve. Tarkington was sent to [[Panay]] to command the [[61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)|61st Field Artillery Regiment]], a component of the [[61st Division (Philippines)|61st Infantry Division]] under Colonel [[Bradford G. Chynoweth]].<ref name=others>{{Cite book |last=Tarkington |first=Hiram |url=https://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/ThereWereOthers/ManuscriptLinks.htm |title=There Were Others |pages=1–14 |via=west-point.org}}</ref>
In 1941, was promoted to [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]] and was sent to the Philippines to help train the [[Philippine Army]] during their expansion in anticipation of Japanese aggression in Asia.
{{more|Philippines campaign (1941–1942)}}
Tarkington arrived in November along with other officers, mostly [[United States Army Reserve|reserve]]. Tarkington was sent to [[Panay]] to command the [[61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)|61st Field Artillery Regiment]], a component of the [[61st Division (Philippines)|61st Infantry Division]] under Colonel [[Bradford G. Chynoweth]].<ref name=others>{{Cite book |last=Tarkington |first=Hiram |url=https://www.west-point.org/family/japanese-pow/ThereWereOthers/ManuscriptLinks.htm |title=There Were Others |pages=1–14 |via=west-point.org}}</ref>
⚫
{{more|Visayas-Mindanao Force|Mindanao Force}}


Tarkington's regiment was still waiting for artillery, so he shifted to infantry training. Their artillery—eight [[3-inch gun M1918]] and four [[QF 2.95-inch mountain gun]]s—went to bottom of [[Manila Bay]] when the {{SS|Corregidor}} sunk upon hitting a [[naval mine]]. Full infantry training was in effect when a sudden order came to transfer his regiment to [[Mindanao]]. His regiment was posted in Bugo, [[Misamis Oriental]], to defend Bugo Port north of [[Cagayan de Oro]].
Tarkington's regiment was still waiting for artillery, so he shifted to infantry training. Their artillery—eight [[3-inch gun M1918]] and four [[QF 2.95-inch mountain gun]]s—went to bottom of [[Manila Bay]] when the {{SS|Corregidor}} sunk upon hitting a [[naval mine]]. Full infantry training was in effect when a sudden order came to transfer his regiment to [[Mindanao]]. His regiment was posted in Bugo, [[Misamis Oriental]], to defend Bugo Port north of [[Cagayan de Oro]].
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==== Combat in Mindanao ====
==== Combat in Mindanao ====
On May 6, 1942, the elite Kawamura Detachment of the [[5th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|5th Division]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] landed on beaches south of [[Macajalar Bay]].
On May 6, 1942, the elite Kawamura Detachment of the [[5th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|5th Division]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] landed on beaches south of [[Macajalar Bay]].
{{more|Philippines campaign (1941–1942)}}


Tarkington's regiment fought hard but was pushed back and had to retreat towards [[Sayre Highway]], afraid of being cutoff as 81st Field Artillery under Lieutenant Colonel John Woodridge at their right was pushed back and have to retreat. This retreat also forced 103rd Infantry under Major Joseph Webb to withdraw although his regiment made successful attack on the beachhead that almost thrown the Japanese back to the sea. 61st Field Artillery now posted in Mangima Grand Canyon in Tankulan, [[Bukidnon]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morton |first=Louis |url=https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/5-2/5-2_28.htm#p507 |title=The Fall of the Philippines |date=June 26, 1953 |publisher=US Government Printing Press |edition=1st |location=Washington, D.C. |publication-date=June 26, 1953 |pages=517}}</ref> Tarkington's regiment fought hard in Tankulan as the Japanese made an intrusion during the night. His [[executive officer]] was wounded at the end of the engagement.
Tarkington's regiment fought hard but was pushed back and had to retreat towards [[Sayre Highway]], afraid of being cutoff as 81st Field Artillery under Lieutenant Colonel John Woodridge at their right was pushed back and have to retreat. This retreat also forced 103rd Infantry under Major Joseph Webb to withdraw although his regiment made successful attack on the beachhead that almost thrown the Japanese back to the sea. 61st Field Artillery now posted in Mangima Grand Canyon in Tankulan, [[Bukidnon]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morton |first=Louis |url=https://history.army.mil/books/wwii/5-2/5-2_28.htm#p507 |title=The Fall of the Philippines |date=June 26, 1953 |publisher=US Government Printing Press |edition=1st |location=Washington, D.C. |publication-date=June 26, 1953 |pages=517}}</ref> Tarkington's regiment fought hard in Tankulan as the Japanese made an intrusion during the night. His [[executive officer]] was wounded at the end of the engagement.
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Tarkington wrote an unpublished account of his experiences during World War II, ''There Were Others'', which can be found online.<ref name=others/> He was married to Zella Maud Munro;<ref name=ancestry/> they had three children.{{cn|date=September 2024}} After her death, he remarried. Tarkington died on October 8, 1996, at the age of 100 in [[Orange Park, Florida]]. He was buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name=ancestry>{{cite web |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/genealogy/records/hiram-wendell-tarkington-24-1l917xc |title=Hiram Wendell Tarkington family tree |website=ancestry.co.uk}}</ref>
Tarkington wrote an unpublished account of his experiences during World War II, ''There Were Others'', which can be found online.<ref name=others/> He was married to Zella Maud Munro;<ref name=ancestry/> they had three children.{{cn|date=September 2024}} After her death, he remarried. Tarkington died on October 8, 1996, at the age of 100 in [[Orange Park, Florida]]. He was buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name=ancestry>{{cite web |url=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/genealogy/records/hiram-wendell-tarkington-24-1l917xc |title=Hiram Wendell Tarkington family tree |website=ancestry.co.uk}}</ref>


== See also ==
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
* [[Mindanao Force]]
⚫
* [[Visayas-Mindanao Force]]
* [[61st Division (Philippines)|61st Infantry Division]]
* [[61st Field Artillery Regiment (PA)]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|30em}}


[[Category:1896 births]]
[[Category:1896 births]]

Revision as of 04:49, 17 September 2024

Hiram Tarkington
Tarkington, c. 1958
Born(1896-03-15)March 15, 1896
Oxford, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedOctober 8, 1996(1996-10-08) (aged 100)
Unknown[a]
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery[2]
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1918–1954
RankColonel
Service numberO10618[3]
Unit24th US Field Artillery Regiment
Commands61st Field Artillery Regiment (Philippines)
Battles / warsBattle of Mangima Grand Canyon
Battle of Bugo
Alma materThe Citadel

Hiram Wendell Tarkington (March 15, 1896 – October 8, 1996)[1] was a colonel in United States Army known for commanding the 61st Field Artillery Regiment of the Philippine Army from November 1941 to May 1942. He was captured and became prisoner of war after the surrender of American forces in the Philippines. He was imprisoned in Mukden, Manchuria, in 1942 and was released in 1945. He retired from the Army in 1954.[4]

Biography

Tarkington was born on March 15, 1896, in Oxford, North Carolina,[5] to parents William Benjamin Tarkington and Mary S. Lougee. His siblings were sisters Esther, Mary, and brothers Ernestine and Woodrow. He attended Citadel Military College in Charleston, South Carolina, and graduated in 1918.[3]

Tarkington enlisted in the United States Army in February 1918,[3] and fought in France during World War I. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery on July 1, 1920.

World War II

In 1941, was promoted to lieutenant colonel and was sent to the Philippines to help train the Philippine Army during their expansion in anticipation of Japanese aggression in Asia.

Further information: Philippines campaign (1941–1942)

Tarkington arrived in November along with other officers, mostly reserve. Tarkington was sent to Panay to command the 61st Field Artillery Regiment, a component of the 61st Infantry Division under Colonel Bradford G. Chynoweth.[6]

Further information: Visayas-Mindanao Force and Mindanao Force

Tarkington's regiment was still waiting for artillery, so he shifted to infantry training. Their artillery—eight 3-inch gun M1918 and four QF 2.95-inch mountain guns—went to bottom of Manila Bay when the SS Corregidor sunk upon hitting a naval mine. Full infantry training was in effect when a sudden order came to transfer his regiment to Mindanao. His regiment was posted in Bugo, Misamis Oriental, to defend Bugo Port north of Cagayan de Oro.

Combat in Mindanao

On May 6, 1942, the elite Kawamura Detachment of the 5th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army landed on beaches south of Macajalar Bay.

Tarkington's regiment fought hard but was pushed back and had to retreat towards Sayre Highway, afraid of being cutoff as 81st Field Artillery under Lieutenant Colonel John Woodridge at their right was pushed back and have to retreat. This retreat also forced 103rd Infantry under Major Joseph Webb to withdraw although his regiment made successful attack on the beachhead that almost thrown the Japanese back to the sea. 61st Field Artillery now posted in Mangima Grand Canyon in Tankulan, Bukidnon.[7] Tarkington's regiment fought hard in Tankulan as the Japanese made an intrusion during the night. His executive officer was wounded at the end of the engagement.

Retreated in Puntian to mount another defensive line but on May 11, 1942, Tarkington was visited by Colonel William F. Dalton, Somilao Sector Commander, and was ordered to surrender at daybreak.

Prisoner of war

Tarkington assembled his regiment to Camp Casisang, Bukidnon, along with other units for formal surrender. All Americans were separated from Filipino soldiers, who were released in August 1942. Tarkington and other Americans officers in Mindanao were brought to Cagayan to board a ship Luzon. They were imprisoned in Cabanatuan. Later, they were brought to Subic Bay to board a ship, which was brought to Manchuria (then the Japanese puppet state of Manchukuo). Contemporary newspaper account also mention detainment in Formosa, prior to Manchuria.[8] Tarkington and his colleagues remained imprisoned until the end of the war,[9][10] liberated during the Soviet invasion of Manchuria.[8]

Later years

By late 1946, Tarkington was senior instructor for the Organized Reserve in Florida.[11] He was named commander of the Florida military district in mid-1950.[12] Tarkington retired from the Army in 1954.[4] In 1955, he was appointed as director of civil defense in Florida,[13] a position he held until retiring in 1968.[14]

Personal life

Tarkington wrote an unpublished account of his experiences during World War II, There Were Others, which can be found online.[6] He was married to Zella Maud Munro;[15] they had three children.[citation needed] After her death, he remarried. Tarkington died on October 8, 1996, at the age of 100 in Orange Park, Florida. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[15]

Notes

  1. ^ The Social Security Death Index notes Tarkington's last place of residence as Orange Park, Florida,[1] but a source stating his place of death is currently lacking.

References

  1. ^ a b "Social Security Death Index". Social Security Administration. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  2. ^ "Burial detail: Tarkington, Hiram W". ANC Explorer. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c U.S. Army Register. United States Army. 1937. p. 693. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  4. ^ a b "Regular Army Retired List". US Army Register. United States Army. 1965. p. 758. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  5. ^ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. c. 1917. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  6. ^ a b Tarkington, Hiram. There Were Others. pp. 1–14 – via west-point.org.
  7. ^ Morton, Louis (June 26, 1953). The Fall of the Philippines (1st ed.). Washington, D.C.: US Government Printing Press. p. 517.
  8. ^ a b "Lt. Col. Tarkington Visits His Father". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. November 8, 1945. p. 8. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Officer Held Jap Prisoner". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. AP. June 4, 1943. p. 10. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Local Officer is Liberated". The Times and Democrat. Orangeburg, South Carolina. August 29, 1945. p. 8. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Colonel Hobbs Heads Field Artillery Group". Tampa Times. November 5, 1946. p. 2. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Heads State District". Tampa Times. AP. July 1, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved September 16, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Retired Duval Army Officer Named States Civil Defense Chief". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. AP. July 13, 1955. p. 17. Retrieved September 15, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Tarkington Retires As Civil Defense Head". St. Petersburg Times. August 31, 1968. p. 13-B. Retrieved September 17, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b "Hiram Wendell Tarkington family tree". ancestry.co.uk.
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