The late Lt. Gen. Tackaberry honored by Rep. Hudson

The life and memory of a legendary Fort Bragg leader will forever be part of the nation’s historical record.

Lt. Gen. Thomas H. Tackaberry — a highly decorated former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg — was honored last month when Rep. Richard Hudson entered a statement commemorating his life and career into the Congressional Record, the official published account of the U.S. Congress.

The remarks came more than a month after Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, 93, died in Fayetteville.

On Friday, Hudson presented a copy of those remarks to retired Brig. Gen. Burt Tackaberry, the elder general’s son, and Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Tackaberry, his grandson, before a veterans advisory committee meeting in Fayetteville.

Lt. Gen. Tackaberry served in the Army for 38 years and fought in Korea and Vietnam. He was one of the most decorated officers in Army history, earning three Distinguished Service Crosses, five Silver Stars, a Distinguished Flying Cross and a Soldier’s Medal, among many other awards and decorations.

Hudson said the elder Tackaberry was a real American hero who left a legacy in his family, which includes several Army officers in multiple generations.

“We can never repay the debt this country owes Lt. Gen. Tackaberry, but I think what we can do and what’s important is that we honor his life, his legacy and set it as an example to current and future generations,” he said. “That’s why we’re doing this today.”

Brig. Gen. Tackaberry said the family was thankful for the honor.

“It’s really about my father and his legacy,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, acting commander of the 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, said he was happy to help honor the great American and former Army leader.

He was representing Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, who is deployed leading the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and Maj. Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, who was attending a memorial service for a soldier killed in Iraq last month.

“This is a tremendous honor,” LaCamera said, repeating some of the accomplishments that marked Lt. Gen. Tackaberry’s career.

What stood out most, LaCamera said, was the late general’s humility and quiet professionalism.

He said Lt. Gen. Tackaberry also had left a tremendous legacy, including two grandsons currently serving as commanders at Fort Bragg and in Korea.

“The apples don’t fall far from the tree and the acorns don’t fall far from the mighty oak,” LaCamera said.

Hudson presented the copy of the remarks at his Fayetteville district office on Green Street.

He entered the remarks into the Congressional Record on May 19.