Texas
Military Forces
Hall of Honor
Blucher S.
Tharp
 Colonel
Blucher S. Tharp was born in Springdale, Kansas, 9 May 1892 and attended
school in Springfield, Missouri. He then made his home in Amarillo,
Texas.
He enlisted in Troop B, 1st Texas Cavalry on 2 July 1916 and saw service
on the Mexican border. He was mobilized with the 36th Infantry Division
for World War I as a member of Battery B, 131st Field Artillery and rose
through the ranks to Regimental Sergeant Major of the 131st Field
Artillery Regiment. He attended the third Officer Training Course at
Camp Bowie, Texas, and was commissioned a second lieutenant on 1 June
1918. He was released from active duty on 9 January 1919. He joined the
131st Field Artillery on 4 February 1924, serving in various assignments
culminating with his assignment as Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion,
131st Field Artillery as a Lieutenant Colonel on 12 August 1940. After
the mobilization of the 36th Division for World War II. he was placed in
command of the 2d Battalion, 131st Field Artillery and took that unit
overseas to the Pacific theater on 21 November 1941. His unit was
diverted from the Philippines when Pearl Harbor was attacked and finally
landed on the island of Java, Dutch East Indies. He and his entire
battalion were taken prisoner when the Dutch surrendered to the
Japanese.
His battalion became known as the "Lost Battalion" as they remained
prisoners of the Japanese until the end of the War. He was promoted
Colonel while still a prisoner and upon his return remained in the
active army until his retirement in 1947. Of the original 800 members of
his battalion, only 300 survived.
He was a fine leader, loved and respected by his men and his community.
Among his many decorations were the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the
Presidential Unit Citation with three clusters.
He passed away after a long illness on 12 November 1954 but his memory
lingers on at the Tharp Memorial U.S. Army Reserve Center in Amarillo. A
dedicated Guardsman, citizen and true patriot best describe this
splendid soldier.
[ PREVIOUS | CONTENTS | NEXT ]
Contact the Texas Military
Forces Museum |
