Thomas John Hall "Trap" Trapnell (23 November 1902 – 13 February 2002) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He was a career officer who served in World War II and the Korean War. Trapnell survived the Bataan Death March and the sinking of two transportation ships during World War II, put down a rebellion of prisoners of war in the Korean War, was the top US advisor to the French during the French Indochina War, and advised against US involvement in Vietnam. He rose to the rank of three-star general before his military retirement and, at the time of his death, was the oldest living member of the Philippine Scouts."Minutes from the Annual Board Meeting, May 5, 2000," Philippine Scouts Heritage Society (fall 2000): 5.
Early life Thomas Trapnell was born on 23 November 1902, in Yonkers, New York, to Joseph Trapnell and Laura Kennedy. The Trapnells are a prosperous and distinguished family originally from the Chesapeake area whose roots stretch back to early Colonial America. One brother, Walter Scott Kennedy Trapnell, rose to the rank of commander in the United States Navy during World War II, while another brother, William Holmes Trapnell, was a prominent attorney. A cousin, Frederick M. Trapnell, was a famous naval test pilot who retired from the navy as a vice admiral. Several other cousins also served as commissioned officers in the armed forces.
Military career
After graduating from Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1923, Trapnell attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Known as the "warhorse of the West Point backfield,""Thomas Trapnell, 99; Bataan Hero, Military Advisor," Los Angeles Times (February 16, 2002). he was an All-America halfback in football—where he teamed with future Hall of Famer Chris Cagle."Foe Hurled Back in Bataan", The New York Times (January 22, 1942): 1,9. In 1926, in one of West Point's best years, Trapnell participated in a memorable game against Navy that tied at 21–21. The match was played at Soldier Field in Chicago – the only time either team has played that venue.Sheldon Y., "Future Army-Navy Game Locations," ArmySports.com (July 21, 2008). Army suffered only one loss that entire season (to Notre Dame).John Kieran, "Sports of the Times", The New York Times (January 25, 1942): S2.
Trapnell was also a top rated lacrosse player who rose to the captaincy of the Army team. His first brush with public notoriety came when his crew defeated the highly rated team from Hobart College captained by his younger brother, William."Brother Will Meet Brother as Trapnells Clash Today", The New York Times (April 30, 1927): 15. The characteristically athletic and competitive Trapnells did their best to outshine each other as evidenced by one report:
Trapnell graduated in 1927 and was commissioned as a platoon leader in the 11th Cavalry Regiment. During this time, he served under two future generals Jonathan Wainwright and George Patton. In 1937, he was promoted to captain; two years later he was assigned to the Philippine Scouts.
While in the Philippines, Trapnell was instrumental in recruiting Sofia Adamson, future founder of the Pacific Asia Museum in Los Angeles and co-founder of Adamson University in Manila, to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur.Sofia Adamson, Geocities.com. Accessed on August 24, 2009. He also became a star polo player. Trapnell was promoted to major and was made XO of the 26th Cavalry Regiment.Kary C. Emerson, "Chapter 2: O'Donnell," Guest of the Emperor (Sanibel Island, FL: self-published, 1977; Fourth Printing, 1987), 20.
World War II In 1941, Japan invaded the Philippines, routing combined U.S.-Filipino defensive forces. During their withdrawal into the Bataan Peninsula in December, Trapnell, commanding a unit of the 26th Cavalry, fought a desperate rear-guard action that included the last tactical cavalry charge of the U.S. Army."Last Cavalry Charge," Global Security.org. Accessed on July 21, 2009. Using a medical truck to block one of the bridges used by retreating Fil-Am force and setting it afire, Trapnell then remained at this position under constant fire until the bridge was rendered unpassable."CPT John Wheeler, USA, Rearguard in Luzon," Philippine Scouts Heritage Society (winter/spring 2003): 10. Although he had a command car with which to beat a hasty retreat, he instead withdrew slowly with a picked force retrieving wounded soldiers along the way. For this engagement he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and commended by Gen. MacArthur:"Illustrious West Pointer Dies", West Point Society of DC (April 2002): 5. "With complete disregard for his safety, Major Trapnell delayed the hostile advance and set an inspiring example to his entire regiment."
Prisoner of war Taken prisoner in April 1942 along with remaining U.S. forces, Trapnell endured months of horrific conditions at Camps O'Donnell and Cabanatuan."Wainwright Held in a Prison Camp: List of 200 American Captives Is Brought Here By Persons Who Left Manila", The New York Times (September 26, 1942): 7. While interned, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In December 1944, he was transported, along with 1,620 other prisoners, on the notorious prisoner of war hell ship, Oryoku Maru with several U.S. prisoners, including the future Army chief of staff Harold K. Johnson and the future Contropeller of the Army John M. Wright. U.S. dive-bombers, unaware of the ship's status, attacked and sunk the vessel. Trapnell survived only to fall victim to a repeated attack the following year. This time, United States Navy aircraft attacked and disabled the Enoura Maru. He and the approximate 950 survivors of the two sinkings were placed aboard the Brazil Maru but only 550 survived the journey to Japan. In August 1945, Trapnell was liberated from Hoten POW camp in Manchuria by USSR troops. At the time, his once athletic, six-foot frame had been reduced to less than 100 pounds."Lt. General Thomas 'Trap' Trapnell Dies at 99," Philippine Scouts Heritage Society (summer 2002): 10.
Interbellum Upon his return to the United States, Trapnell attended the Command and General Staff College, graduating in 1947. Afterward, he completed Airborne School and assumed command of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On May 8, 1948, Trapnell led the 505th as part of a record-setting exercise that saw 2,200 paratroopers travel some 500 miles to make a jump at Camp Campbell, Kentucky."Army of the Skies Starts War Games", The New York Times (May 9, 1948): 34. He graduated from the Army War College in 1951.
Korean War In 1951, Trapnell was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and placed in command of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. In November of that year, the 187th made a "simulated combat drop", landing 3,000 troops and 100,000 lbs of equipment in South Korea during 'Operation Showoff,' a demonstration of wartime airlift capability."Air 'Showoffs' Drop In", The New York Times (November 14, 1951): 5. From May to June, 1952, the 187th under Trapnell was instrumental in suppressing the rebellion of 80,000 Chinese and North Korean prisoners at the Geoje POW camp. Some 40 prisoners were killed during the uprising which had been fomented by communist leaders attempting to disrupt truce negotiations.Walter G. Hermes, "Chapter 11: Koje-Do," Truce Tent and Fighting Front: the Last Two Years (Washington, DC: Center of Military History, 1990), 233–262.
Indochina From 1952 to 1954, Major General Trapnell headed the U.S. advisory mission in French Indochina, leaving just before Ho Chi Minh's victory at Dien Bien Phu. While serving as the chief advisor, he issued a series of reports to his superiors in which he predicted that the French would not be able to defeat the communist insurgency. Trapnell was replaced by Maj. Gen. John W. O'Daniel and returned to the United States for a succession of commands: the recently reactivated 4th Armored Division at Ft. Hood, Texas from 1954 to 1955 and the 82nd Airborne Division from 1955 to 1956.
Trapnell returned to South Korea in 1958 commanding I Corps for two years before becoming the Chief of Staff to Gen. Isaac White, Commander-in-Chief, United States Army Pacific. In 1960, after briefly commanding Third U.S. Army at Ft. McPherson, Georgia, he took command of both the XVIII Airborne Corps and the Strategic Army Corps at Ft. Bragg."West Point to Get New Chief July 1", The New York Times (May 14, 1960): 9. While there, Trapnell presided over the dedication of the Airborne Trooper statue in September 1961.Airborne Trooper statue dedication ceremony, 23 September 1961 (program) Bragg.army.mil. Accessed on July 11, 2009. He also strongly advocated for the joint forces reaction force that became Strike Command.
South Vietnam In 1961, Lieutenant General Trapnell was in South Vietnam, where he advised President John F. Kennedy against U.S. involvement. Presciently gauging the eventual swing of U.S. public opinion and weighing the organizational success and popularity of Ho Chi Minh, Trapnell concluded that the Vietnamese communists were waging a "clever war of attrition." While he supported holding the line against communist expansion in Asia, he nevertheless believed that a "military solution in Indochina [was] not possible."Robert Buzzanco, "Vietnam: Roots of Involvement, Roots of Dissent," Hawks as Doves: Military Dissent in Vietnam and Iraq (Colonel John B. McKinney Lecture), University of Tennessee (September 21, 2006): 6.
Trapnell's final command came in 1961. In that year, SAC and Tactical Air Command were unified as Strike Command; Trapnell once again assumed command of Third Army."Generals Reassigned", The New York Times (October 2, 1961): 34. He retired in 1962."Retirement is Announced for Three Army Generals", The New York Times (July 28, 1962): 3.
Trapnell later served as an advisory board member of the Center for Internee Rights in Florida advocating for just treatment of US prisoners of war and fair compensation from holding nations.
Family
Trapnell was married to his first wife, Alys Snow, from 1929 until her death in 1953. Alys had relocated to the Philippines with her husband when he was posted there but returned to the United States "when the Army wives were evacuated" in May 1942."Major Trapnell's Wife Thrilled by the News; Her First Word of Him Since War Broke out", The New York Times (January 22, 1942): 9. His second marriage, to Elizabeth Elder, lasted from 1956 to her death in 2001. He had no children.Hugh Byrne, "Trapnell, Thomas John Hall," Byrne Family Genealogical Tables. Accessed on July 23, 2009.
Like many other males in his family, Trapnell was known as "Trap" from his last name. As such, Trapnell became the first person whose nickname appeared in an official War Department record (Communiqué 69):
Trapnell died of heart failure at the Fairfax retirement facility at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia on 13 February 2002. He was buried with full military honors at West Point Cemetery.
Military awards Trapnell's military decorations and awards include: Badges Master Parachutist Badge Decorations Distinguished Service CrossArmy Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with two bronze oak leaf clustersLegion of Merit with three bronze oak leaf clustersBronze Star Medal with "V" DevicePurple HeartPrisoner of War Medal Unit Award Army Presidential Unit Citation Service Medals American Defense Service Medal with bronze service starAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with silver campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medal with "Japan" claspNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starKorean Service Medal with three campaign starsArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two service stars Foreign Awards