John M. Tatum

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on November 14, 2004:

John May Tatum, Jr. Born January 26, 1929 - Died May 27, 1986 On the afternoon of 27 May 1986, John May Tatum, Jr., was called to rest while walking on his farm in Bamberg, SC. Mary was nearby when his heart stopped. He left this life in the arms of the one he adored and in the great out-of-doors on his own land. John, the only son of Colonel John May Tatum, Sr., (USMA N'18) was born in Gastonia, NC and raised in Bamberg, SC. He and Mary nourished their roots in their home state with family and friends throughout his military service. He rests in peace at Quaker Cemetery in Camden. John exemplified the characteristics our profession demands: competence, fidelity, integrity, determination, self-sacrifice, and compassion. His career also reflected a unique combination of purpose combined with an uncommon degree of common sense and good will toward his fellow man. Having just completed plebe year at the Citadel, John greeted the Beast Detail in a confident, relaxed manner. Plebe year posed no challenge to this blithe spirit who was not only able to see and laugh at the sometimes hilarious attempts to develop our character, but also amused his comrades with pithy and amusing observations of the ludicrous situations we encountered. Neither the intricacies of fluid mechanics, muscle crunching by the Master of the Sword, the jaundiced eye of the Tactical Department, nor the merciless winters daunted him. Yet behind this apparent youthful insouciance lay a first rate intellect. On 8 April 1952 he and Mary Risher were wed in Bamberg, SC. Throughout all the demands and uncertainties of military service, John was supported by the care and devotion of his precious Mary, whether by his side or in spirit while he was away at war. Like most of his infantry classmates, John went to Korea after completing the basic course, jump school, and a brief stateside tour with troops. In Korea, he served as a rifle company officer in the 40th Infantry Division and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Commendation Medal. He returned home to duty with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. During this tour John served successively as a battalion staff officer and company commander. He made doing the difficult look easy; and he did so not only by unostentatiously, diligently seeing to the details of the task at hand but by consistently presenting a cheerful, untroubled countenance to the world. After completing the Infantry Advanced Course in 1957, John and Mary with son John May III and new baby Sara Jane went to Berlin where John served in the G-4 Section until 1960. During these years John honed his professional skills and learned how to function productively not only with senior US officials, but also with the agencies and personalities of our allies. In addition to his official duties, John found time and energy to devote to his family and to represent the US Berlin Command in both local and US European Command tennis tournaments. Returning to the US, the Tatums migrated to Fort Leavenworth where John attended the Army Command and General Staff College. Following graduation, John's next assignment was to Admissions at West Point. This was a happy tour for the entire family among friends and activities that were enjoyable and rewarding. John obtained an MBA at the University of Alabama in 1966. It was here in Tuscaloosa that James, their second son, was born. John then went to Vietnam where he served first in Hq, MACV and then in the G-3 Section, 101st Airborne Division. During this tour of duty, he was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal. John's next duty was as battalion commander at Fort Dix. In that assignment he did what he always did best, inspire soldiers to be the best they could be. He was years ahead of today's "buzz words" for he really did make others want to be like him, to be what he was; assured and confident without arrogance, concerned and compassionate without coddling and devoted to God, Family, and Country. The excellence of his command tour was recognized by award of the Commendation Medal. From 1968-72, John served in the Office of the Comptroller of the Army at the Pentagon working on preparation, submission and execution of the Army budget. Despite the intense pressures experienced in the budget process in those years of austere funding, John managed to perform his duties in an efficient, selfless manner while devoting quality time to the needs of his family. In September 1971 he suffered a major heart attack which would have felled most men his age. Against great odds he recovered sufficiently to serve a short while as comptroller at Fort Jackson. On 3 August 1972, after more than twenty-one years of service, John retired in the grade of Colonel. His successful career is, in part, reflected in the award of the Legion of Merit which cited his professional excellence and his personal devotion to our beloved Army and nation. Edward Allen Partain, Classmate & Family Friend.

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