![]() He was medevaced to Percy Jones Medical Center, Battle Creek, Michigan, where he spent 16 months recovering. While helping a wounded soldier up on a tank, Captain Tatum was severely wounded in his legs. When Captain Tatum's Battalion Commander's convoy was ambushed, he led one of his platoons to repel and defeat the guerillas. When China entered the war the 32nd Infantry Regiment was pushed back through the Chosin Reservoir into southern Korea where they regrouped and pushed back north. F company was one of only two companies to fight their way to the Yalu River overlooking Manchuria. Shortly after their successful landing on Inchon, Jim was soon reassigned to command a Light Infantry company. He was the Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment at the outbreak of the Korean War. When the 11th Airborne returned to the United States, Jim opted to transfer to the 7th Infantry Division. Next came Japan and assignment to the 11th Airborne Division. They were then assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where Jim earned the coveted Expert Infantry Badge. They had four children and spent 50 special years together prior to Kay's death in 1997. In 1948, he was united in marriage with Kathryn Grace Pickens, a resident of Joplin, Missouri. He was remembered by his 1947 classmates for his sense of humor even during stressful times.Ĭommissioned as a Second Lieutenant, his first assignment was at Fort Riley, Kansas. In a wartime class that was split, Jim was part of a group who graduated in three years. While there, he received a Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He briefly attended the University of Arkansas where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He started and lettered on both the football and basketball teams. ![]() In 1942, Jim left high school early to attend Wentworth Military Academy. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and was selected for the All-State basketball team. An only child, Jim was raised in Anderson, attended Anderson schools and during his youth worked in a variety of jobs for his grandfather, George Tatum, in his various businesses. Jim was born in Carthage, Missouri, on July 24th, 1925, to James Marshall Tatum and Ruth Bernard Tatum. He will be missed beyond measure by his adoring family and friends. From philosophy, to political science, history, military strategy, ethics, world religions, art, leadership, cattle breeding, and finance, his search for knowledge and understanding was never ending. He was a voracious reader and loved learning. A businessman, soldier, and educator, Jim is remembered for his love of life, family, God, country, Crowder College and his respect for others. Lifelong McDonald County resident, James Bernard Tatum, passed away peacefully with his wife, Lynn, at his side in their Pineville home on December 8, 2020. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |