Allegiance United States Years of service 1917-1946 | Rank Lieutenant General Name Thomas Bourke | |
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Born May 5, 1896
Robinson, Maryland ( 1896-05-05 ) Buried at Arlington National Cemetery Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Guadalcanal
Battle of Tarawa
Battle of Saipan
Battle of Leyte Awards Legion of Merit
Bronze Star (2) Died January 9, 1978, Santa Clara, California, United States Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States Service/branch United States Marine Corps Battles and wars Guadalcanal Campaign, Battle of Tarawa, Battle of Saipan, Battle of Leyte, World War II Commands held 10th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division | ||
Thomas Eugene Bourke (May 5, 1896 – January 9, 1978) was a United States Marine Corps general who, during World War II, commanded Marine artillery units at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Leyte. At the end of World War II, he commanded the 5th Marine Division in the occupation of Japan, and the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
Biography
Bourke was a native of Robinson, Maryland, and a graduate of St. Johns College, Annapolis, Maryland. He was commissioned in 1917 after service in the Maryland National Guard along the Mexican border. While en route to Santo Domingo for his first tour, he and 50 recruits were diverted to St. Croix, becoming the first U.S. troops to land on what had just become the American Virgin Islands. Post-World War I tours included service at Quantico, Parris Island, San Diego, and Headquarters Marine Corps. He also served at Pearl Harbor; was commanding officer of the Legation Guard in Managua, Nicaragua; saw sea duty on board the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48); and commanded the 10th Marine Regiment.
Following the Guadalcanal and Tarawa campaigns, General Bourke was assigned as the V Amphibious Corps artillery officer for the invasion of Saipan. He next trained combined Army-Marine artillery units for the XXIV Army Corps, then preparing for the Leyte operation. With Leyte secured, he assumed command of the 5th Marine Division which was planning for the invasion of Japan.
After the war's sudden end, the division landed at Sasebo, Kyūshū, and assumed occupation duties. With disbandment of the 5th Marine Division, General Bourke became Deputy Commander and Inspector General of Fleet Marine Force Pacific. Bourke retired from the Marine Corps in 1946 with a rank of Lieutenant General.
General Bourke died in 1978. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.