The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Frank Cunnington Tharin (MCSN: 0-5000), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a member of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VMF-211), on Wake Island on 17 December 1941. Captain Tharin, flying an F4F aircraft without any special equipment and having had no previous training for night combat flying, took off, located in the darkness and shot down an enemy four-engine seaplane which was engaged on a reconnaissance and attack mission. His courage, skill and unusual devotion to duty was outstanding and his success in the unprecedented night attack was of great importance in the defense of Wake Island. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
February 28, 1967 – July 19, 1968
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Frank Cunnington Tharin (MCSN: 0-5000), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, from 28 February 1967 to 19 July 1968. Following his arrival at Fleet Marine Force, Pacific Headquarters, the Commanding General spent a total of 115 days on visits to Vietnam and other organizations of the Force. During these periods, General Tharin discharged all of the responsibilities of the Commanding General in a manner which maintained the continuity of the support rendered the widespread elements of the Force. Displaying superior skill, he ably supervised and coordinated all contingency planning within Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, including review of strategic campaign plans for the Republic of Vietnam and the formulation of withdrawal and post-hostilities plans. Consistently displaying sound judgment and foresight, he determined the Force requirements which were necessary to support tactical commitments of Marine units in Southeast Asia. Additionally, he ably exercised general supervision over and coordinated all staff action regarding Marine Corps Bases, Pacific and Pacific Ocean Area Security Forces. Serving in a collateral assignment as Commanding General of the Fifth Marine Expeditionary Force, he was instrumental in developing the complex integration of 12 major contingency plans involving support of the Commanders in Chief of the Pacific, Atlantic and United States Southern Command. General Tharin contributed immeasurably to the formulation of guidelines and policies concerning the effective, efficient and flexible employment of Marine aviation assets. Assigned the responsibility for general staff supervision over Force Comptroller functions, he assisted in the development of funding policies and procedures adopted by the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. In addition, he provided guidance and direction in the planning and funding of 30 budget projects involving seven separate appropriations totaling in excess of 300 million dollars annually. As senior member of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific Decorations and Awards Board, General Tharin provided the skillful and judicious guidance which increased to a great degree the effective and timely recognition of heroic and meritorious performance by Navy and Marine Corps personnel. By his superb leadership and unswerving devotion to duty throughout, General Tharin upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainDivision:
Prisoner of War (China)Action Date:
December 23, 1941 – September 1945
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947Captain Frank Cunnington Tharin (MCSN: 0-5000), United States Marine Corps, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Wake Island on 23 December 1941, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of the war.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211)Action Date:
December 22, 1941
Commander in Chief, Pacific: Serial 2811 (March 29, 1946)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Frank Cunnington Tharin (MCSN: 0-5000), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Fighter Pilot attached to Marine Fighting Squadron TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN (VFM-211), and serving with our ground forces during a desperate attempt to repulse enemy Japanese landing on Wake Island on 22 December 1941. Placed in charge of a combat group on the left flank of a line established by his unit to resist Japanese landings after all of his planes had been destroyed by the enemy, Captain Tharin displayed exceptional initiative and brilliant leadership in directing the efforts of his men. Concerned only for the safety of others he assumed the responsibility of providing protective fire for several unarmed companions who were acting as ammunition and weapons carriers maintaining an exposed position and manning his weapon with extreme accuracy as the Japanese continued to press forward in overwhelming numbers. When hostile troops momentarily penetrated his line of defense he fought a furious battle against tremendous odds and by his superb skill and great personal valor in the face of grave peril Captain Tharin contributed to the success of his unit in repulsing numerous bitter onslaughts with many Japanese dead and his heroic conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
August 1968 – June 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Frank Cunnington Tharin (MCSN: 0-5000), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans and Programs), Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, from August 1968 through June 1990. Lieutenant General Tharin served with unique distinction as the principal staff officer for the Commandant of the Marine Corps on all joint planning, as well as assisting in directing, coordinating and supervising staff activities in the field of planning and programming for the United States Marine Corps. Additionally, he served as the Operations Deputy for the Marine Corps and the principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps in all matters relating to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. With an unusual perception of the complex relationships and factors involved, Lieutenant General Tharin directly participated in and made major contributions to the formulation of strategic plans and policies for the security of the United States. The effectiveness of his participation was reflected in both Joint Planning and Marine Corps Planning Programming was reflected in the effective worldwide employment and posture of United States Marine forces. Lieutenant General Tharin’s distinguished service, brilliant leadership, and outstanding contributions to the security of the United States reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.