A Salute To Our Service, Fire & Police Personnel - May 2017  

DAVID LEE THARPE
STAFF SERGEANT,
U.S. ARMY

David Lee Tharpe was born on March 26, 1917, He was raised and schooled in Charlotte County, Virginia. He married Lorena Mildred Tharpe on November 29, 1941. On July 4, 1942 he left for Camp Fort Lee, Virginia and then was sent to Camp Forrest, located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, for basic training with the 80th Infantry Division. It was one of the U.S. Army's largest training bases during World War II. It was an active army post between 1941 and 1946. Camp Forrest officially became a prisoner of war camp on May 12, 1942. The camp housed Italian and German POWs. Prisoners became laborers at Camp Forrest in the hospitals and on farms in the local community.

David served as a Squad Leader in Scotland, France, Belgium, England and Germany. He returned to the States and was stationed at Fort Adams, United States Army post in Newport, Rhode Island, established on July 4, 1799 as a First System coastal fortification where he served as a Military Policeman in charge of the MP's there. He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945 at Fort Meade MD.

David died December 2, 1985 and is buried at Mt. Calvary Church in Drakes Branch.

Thank you for your service!
Photograph and information courtesy of Lorena Tharpe.