Thomas Eugene Bourke
Lieutenant General, U.S. Marine Corps

Thomas Eugene Bourke was born on 5 May 1896 inRobinson, MD.

He graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, in 1916. He then served briefly with the Maryland National Guard along the Mexican border. His military career with the U.S. Marine Corps began with a commission as a Second Lieutenant on 5 February 1917.

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, 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, that were 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, Bourke became Deputy Commander and Inspector General of Fleet Marine Force Pacific.

Lieutenant General Bourke retired from the Marine Corps on 1 November 1946.

Medals and Awards

Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2 Awards)
Navy Presidential Unit Citation (2 Awards)
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
Mexican Border Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal with 1 Service Star
Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Service Stars
World War II Victory Medal
Korean Service Medal with 2 Service Stars

Death and Burial

Lieutenant General Thomas Eugene Bourke died on 5 January 1978 in Santa Clara, CA. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.