TRAPNELL, Lt. General Thomas John Hall

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Trap & Tom
• Education: West Point, Class of 1927
• Research Notes: Thomas John Hall Trapnell page on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._H._Trapnell
• Served in military: Y

Notes:

Professional soldier. Cavalry officer WWII; taken by Japanese on Bataan
with 26th cavalry. Switched to Airborne after war; retired Lt. Gen. in
early 1960s.

Thomas John Hall Trapnell page on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_J._H._Trapnell

Esquire article on Thomas John Hall Trapnell

March, 1943

Salute to Tom Trapnell, D.S.C.
West Point grid star who wanted to be preacher, became instead hero of the bridge at Rosario
by A. PAUL MEKTON

On January 22, 1942, from his field headquarters in the Philippines, General Douglas MacArthur announced the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major T.J. Hall Trapnell, Cavalry. The communique from General MacArthur stated:

Major Trapnell, who is a former football hero of the United States Military Academy, matched his brilliant gridiron career with outstanding exploits on the battlefield. The action for which Major Trapnell was decorated took place at Rosario in La Union province on December 22, 1941, while his cavalry unit was engaged in rear-guard operations. During concentrated enemy fire from tanks and infantry, Major Trapnell remained between the hostile force and his own troops and set fire to a truck on a bridge. He waited until the bridge was in flames before leaving the scene in a scout car. He then retired slowly with the rear elements of his organization, picked up wounded soldiers and rallied his men. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Major Trapnell delayed the hostile advance and set an inspiring example to his entire regiment.

We have only to go back to his family antecedents for the elements that produced Major Trapnell, D.S.C. His grandfathers, on both paternal and distaff sides were rebel troopers in the Civil War, one of them in General Ashby's cavalry. His grandmother's brother, Thomas White, was on Stonewall Jackson's staff. Of the present generation of the family that includes twenty-nine men, seventeen are in the United States armed forces, ranging in rank from Colonel Trapnell himself to a corporal. The eldest, brother, Joseph Trapnell, 3rd, served in the United States Navy during the World War on the transport Zuiderdijk and was wounded in action. Another brother, Commander Walter Scott Trapnell, was graduated from Annapolis in 1920 and is now port captain in Balboa, Panama. A cousin, Lieutenant Commander Frederick M. Trapnell, a Navy flyer and crack pilot, took part in the flight of 18 bombers from San Diego to Honolulu in 1938.

Called Hall by his family, Tom Trapnell was born in Yonkers in 1902 and began making football history in the Mount Hebron Grammar School in Upper Montclair, N.J. where he early learned to go up against odds without flinching. A game had been booked with the jayvee team of a neighboring school. When the opposing team came on the field, Hebron's coach spotted a player of the first team in the jayvee lineup. The coach protested, but young Trapnell said: "Aw, let him play. We don't care." Then on the first play after the kick-off, the ringer, carrying the ball, came around end. Tom, playing halfback, made a flying tackle. The ringer was out!

When Tom was ready for high school, his grandfather, Joseph Trapnell, a trustee of Episcopal High School, Alexandria, Virginia, got him a partial scholarship. He went in for track, basketball, lacrosse and football, and his third year he was captain of the eleven. It was during the years at Episcopal High that the influence of his ministerial relatives induced him to plan to become an Episcopal minister. A great-grandfather, grandfather and two uncles were Episcopal ministers.

However, Major C.D. Daly, football coach at West Point, sold him on the idea of trying for an appointment to the Academy. He succeeded in gelling an alternate appointment, and during the interim, Tom and some of his high school friends served as a temporary pickup crew for his brother Joe, who was port steward and purchasing agent for the Baltimore Steamship Company, sailing to Caribbean ports on the S.S. Coelleda and the S.S. Lake Fauquier as ordinary seamen.

Subsequently he took the competitive examination and won the appointment to West Point, entering the Academy from New Jersey in 1923. A two-letter man, outstanding in both football and lacrosse, he was also Phi Beta Kappa, president of his class for three years, teacher in the Sunday school to which children of the post were sent, and president of the Y.M.C.A. The West Point year book of 1927 said of him: "For the class and for the Academy, he has been a zealous worker, but towards his own advancement he has taken a nonchalant attitude -- the attitude of the truly unselfish comrade-in-arms. He is one who thinks first, acts quickly and wisely, and of whom it can never be said that he boasts."

At the end of his leave after he was graduated in 1927, Tom was sent to Monterey, California, with the calvary. There he took up polo and became a star. In 1929, he married Miss Alyse Snow in Fresno. She is now living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, having been evacuated from the Philippines in May, 1942.

In 1939 Trapnell was sent to the Philippines at the request of General MacArthur, who likes the football type of officer. With the fall of Bataan he was reported captured by the Japs. From a passenger returning on the Gripsholm, the family heard that "The Kid", as he was known to them, was a prisoner in Tarlac prison —- emaciated and drawn with prison pallor and malnutrition. Neither his mother, Mrs. Laura Trapnell who lives in Baltimore, nor any other member of his family has heard from him since the war started.

Thomas married SNOW, Alys Julie on 1 Jun 1929 in Fresno, CA. Alys (daughter of SNOW, Charles Sherman and MCCUNE, Hulda) was born on 27 Aug 1906 in Fresno, California; died on 21 Jan 1953. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From the Oakland Tribune:

Fresno Girl Weds Monterey Officer

Monterey, June 7 - Miss Alys Julie Snow and Lieutenant Thomas John Hall Trapnell, U.S.A. were married at the home of the bride's parents in Fresno Saturday evening, according to announcements received here today. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sherman Snow of Fresno and Carmel. Miss Maude Snow is her twin sister.

Lieutenant Trapnell is the son of Mrs. Joseph Trapnell of New York City. He is a graduate of West Point with the class of 1927 and formerly lived in Richmond W Va. He has been stationed at the Monterey Presidio for the last year and a half.

Following a motor honeymoon Lieutenant and Mrs Trapnell will return to make their home at the Monterey Presidio.

Thomas married ELDER, Elizabeth Anne in 1956. Elizabeth (daughter of ELDER, Herbert E and WELCH, Marion) was born on 6 Sep 1917 in St. Louis, MO; died on 20 Jun 2001 in Toms Brook, Shenandoah, Virginia, United States of America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From Farmers Advocate in Charles Town: Death of Joseph Trapnell The death of Mr. Joseph Trapnell at his home in Chatham, New Jersey, after a brief illness Sunday night last was a grievous shock to his friends and relatives in Charles Town, where he was born and grew to manhood. His death is the first in a family of seven brothers, sons of the late Joseph Trapnell, of Charles Town. He had been in business in New York since finishing school, and was 52 years of age He is survived by his wife, who was formerly Miss Laura Kennedy, of Charles Town, and seven children. He is also survived by his mother, who lives in Charles Town, and by six brothers and two sisters, Mr. Jack Trapnell and Miss Rebecca Trapnell, of Charles Town; Mrs. Harry Kloman, of Fargo, North Dakota; and Messrs. Ben and White Trapnell, of New York; William Trapnell in Weston W. Va; Tom in Washington, and Rev. Richard Trapnell in Wilmington, Delaware. Funeral services were conducted at Chatham on Tuesday, after which the remains were brought to Charles Town. Interment was made in Zion churchyard at 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, the commitment service being read by Rev. C. H. Goodwin.
• Occupation: Lawyer/businessman
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Birth: 21 Jun 1871, Charles Town, WV
• Residence: 1900, Yonkers Ward 6, Westchester, New York
• Death: 12 Nov 1922, Charles Town, WV

Joseph married KENNEDY, Laura Virginia on 5 Nov 1895. Laura (daughter of KENNEDY, Walter Scott and HALL, Laura) was born on 21 Aug 1870 in Charles Town, West Virginia; died on 6 Jan 1963 in Baltimore, Maryland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Episcopalian
• Birth: 13 Nov 1870, Washington Co, MD
• Residence: 1900, Yonkers Ward 6, Westchester, New York
• Residence: 1 Aug 1900, 3 Washington, Charles Town, Jefferson, WV USA
• Death: 5 Jan 1963, Baltimore, MD

Notes:

Enumerated twice in 1900 census, first in Yonkers, NY and later in Charles Town, WV with parents.

Residence:
Last: Trapnell / F: Laura / Rel to Head: Daughter / Race: W / S: M / Birth Month-Year: Nov 1870 / Age: 20 / Years married: 4 / Children: 3 / Children Living: 3 / Birthplace: Maryland / Father's Birthplace: Maryland / Mother's Birthplace: Maryland-

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From Spirit of Jefferson, March 19, 1912 Mr Joseph Trapnell a prominent member of the Jefferson County Bar, died at his home in this place on Saturday last. He was a native of Maryland, but had lived here since 1865. Living in Maryland at the beginning of the War Between the States, he was arrested because he refused to take the oath to the U. S. Government, but escaped and came to Virginia and joined Company G, 7th Virginia Cavalry, in which he served as a faithful soldier to the end of the war. He had studied law with Judge Maulsby in Frederick, Maryland, and continued his studies after he came here in 1865.After getting his license to practice he formed a partnership with Nathan S. White Esq., whose daughter he married in the fall of 1866. The firm had a large and lucrative practice for a number of years. For several years prior to Mr. Trapnell's death was so impaired that he unable to give the attention to his practice to which he had been accustomed since he came to the Bar. Mr. Trapnell was highly esteemed by the community in which he lived and by his brethren of the Bar with whom he was associated. He was a vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church and was frequently sent as a delegate to the conventions of that denomination. He is survived by his widow, seven sons and two daughters. Benjamin, Joseph, White and Thomas, of New York, William, of Romney: Rev. Richard Trapnell of Bluefield, West Virginia; John M. of this vicinity: Mrs H. F. Kloman, of Portland Me., and Miss Rebecca at home. Service will be conducted at Zion Episcopal Church, by Rev. J. S. Alfriend, assisted by Rev. J. H. Blake of Georgetown, D. C. Members of the Jefferson County Camp, U. C. V. and the members of the Bar will attend. Pallbearers are J. William Brown, Forrest W. Brown, W. O. Norris, S. W. Washington, John M. Daniel, Thomas R. Moore, W. L. Saunders and John Porterfield,
• Obituary: From Bluefield Daily Telegraph: Joseph Trapnell Church Paper Pays Tribute to Deceased Father of Bluefield Rector The following on the death of Joseph Trapnell, father of Rev. R. W. Trapnell, of this city, is taken from the Southern Churchman: Joseph Trapnell, of Charles Town, W. Va., died Saturday, a.m. March 16, 1912. Born in the city of Annapolis, Md., Sept 1, 1842. A grandson of Rev. Joseph Trapnell, who was born at Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire, England, November 8, 1775. Oldest son of Rev. Joseph Trapnell, D. D., who was born at Bemerton, Wiltshire, England, June 19, 1814. Our subject’s boyhood days Baltimore, Bristol, R.I., and Keokuk, Iowa, where his father was rector of churches in these places. He commenced the study of law in the office of Belknap & Lomax, at Keokuk, Iowa, in 1859. In 1861 (his father having moved to St. Marks parish, Frederick Co, Md.) he continued his legal studies with Joseph Palmer, esq., a noted attorney of Frederick, Md., until Sept, 1862, when he entered the confederate army on the 12th, Company G, 7th Va. Cavalry, where he remained until the late fall of 1864, when he joined the Maryland Battalion, which had the honor of being the last army of northern Virginia to surrender. In the summer of 1865 he continued his interrupted studies in the offices of the late N. S. White esq., at Charles Town, W. Va.. In Oct, 1866, he was admitted to the bar at Frederick, Md., and commenced the practice of his profession with his late preceptor, N. S. White, making the firm of White & Trapnell. On Nov. 20, 1866, he was united in marriage in Zion church, Charles Town, with Miss Rebecca Holmes White, only child of his preceptor and partner. The Rev. Joseph Trapnell officiated. His long useful life in the practice of his profession was spent in this ancient and beautiful town. He was the chancellor of the diocese of West Virginia, a lay deputy to the general convention of the church, which meets every three years, since 1889; a vestryman, of Zion Church, Charles Town, or warden, for upwards of forty years. Throughout the whole valley of Virginia, especially, and in all parts of the state and adjoining states of Virginia and Maryland, in many parts his professional ability makes him much sought after — especially in the intricacies of the great science, he was known to be a master of the law. Respected, honored, loved by the whole community, after a life spent there of nearly 47 years, he will be missed in the church and state. He leaves a widow and one sister. His brother is Dr. R. Watkins Trapnell, of Point of Rocks, and his sister, Miss Ella Trapnell, of Middletown, Md.
• Occupation: Lawyer
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Military: 12 Sep 1862, Knoxville, Frederick, MD, USA
• Residence: Apr 1870, S. George Street, Charles Town, Jefferson, West Virginia
• Residence: 1880, Charlestown, Jefferson, West Virginia, United States
• Residence: 1900, Charles Town, Jefferson, West Virginia
• Residence: 1910, Charles Town, Jefferson, West Virginia

Notes:

Military:
Enlisted in Company G, Virginia 7th Cavalry Regiment on 12 Sep 1862.

Residence:
“A dwelling house was completed in Charles Town for Joseph Trapnell, S. George St.” (Ultimately was 416 S. George Street, Charles Town, WV)

Joseph married WHITE, Rebecca Holmes on 20 Nov 1866 in Charlestown, WV. Rebecca (daughter of WHITE, Nathan Smith and MACKY, Frederica) was born on 4 May 1845 in Charlestown WV; died on 3 May 1931 in Charles Town, WV; was buried on 5 May 1931 in Zion Church yard, Charles Town, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From The Morning News, Wilmington, DE Mrs. Rebecca H. Trapnell Mrs. Rebecca H. Trapnell, 85 years old. widow of Joseph Trapnell, of Charlestown. West Virginia, died in that town on Sunday, according to news received here yesterday. Mrs. Trapnell was the mother of the Rev. Richard W. Trapnell, now cf Norfolk, Va. Mr. Trapnell was rector of St. Andrew's P. E. Church, in this city, and was well known here, leaving for Norfolk last year. Mrs. Trapnell was a daughter' Of Nathan S. White, a member of the Charlestown bar. for many years. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. H. F. Kloman, wife of the Rev. H. F. Kloman, rector of the Episcopal Church at Cumberland, Md., and Miss Rebecca R. Trapnell, of Charlestown, and four sons, William Trapnell, superintendent of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Western; Captain Thomas T. Trapnell, U. S. A.; the Rev. Richard W. Trapnell, Norfolk, Va., and J. M. Trapnell, of Charlestown. Funeral services will be held in Zion Episcopal Church this afternoon.
• Residence: 1910, Charles Town, Jefferson, West Virginia

Notes:

Married:
Officiated by his father, Rev. Joseph Trapnell

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1 Aug 1900, 3 Washington, Charles Town, Jefferson, WV USA

Notes:

Census:
Last: Kennedy / F: Walter Scott / Rel to Head: Head / Race: W / S: M / Birth Month-Year: Jan 1833 / Age: 67 / Years married: 30 / Birthplace: Maryland / Father's Birthplace: Maryland / Mother's Birthplace: Virginia -

Walter married HALL, Laura. Laura was born in Dec 1841 in Ann Arrundel Co, MD. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1 Aug 1900, 3 Washington, Charles Town, Jefferson, WV USA

Notes:

Census:
Last: Kennedy / F: Laura / Rel to Head: Wife / Race: W / S: M / Birth Month-Year: Dec 1841 / Age: 58 / Years married: 30 / Children: 8 / Children Living: 5 / Birthplace: Maryland / Father's Birthplace: Maryland / Mother's Birthplace: Maryland-

Other Events and Attributes:

• CLER: Y
• Obituary: From the Spirit of Jefferson: Rev. Joseph Trapnell, D. D., father of Joseph Trapnell, Esq., of this town, died at his residence near Petersville, Frederick county, Maryland, on Monday last, aged 73 years. He had been a clergyman at the Episcopal Church for fifty years.
• Religion: Episcopal
• Residence: 1850, Baltimore Ward 4, Baltimore, Maryland
• Residence: 1860, Keokuk Ward 1, Lee, Iowa
• Residence: 1870, District 12, Frederick, Maryland
• Residence: 1880, Berlin, Frederick, Maryland, United States
• Burial: 1887, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD, Lot E14

Notes:

Died:
Other accounts have Middletown. Obit from Spirit of Jefferson specifies Petersville

Joseph married WATKINS, Emily Green on 18 Jun 1839 in Anne Arundel Co, MD. Emily (daughter of WATKINS, Reverend Nicholas John and TODD, Margaret) was born on 10 May 1817 in Annapolis, Anne Arundel Co, MD; died on 11 Mar 1862 in St. Mark's Parsonage, Petersville, MD; was buried in 1862 in mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD (Lot E14). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: From The Spirit of Jefferson, Charles Town WV On Sunday morning last, at the breakfast table, Mr. Nathan S. White was stricken with fatal illness and his spirit passed to the other world three hours later. The tidings as a great pall fell upon the community. Twice within a week sudden summons came to worthy citizens. Mr. White has been a resident of the town forty-eight years--and all these years were characterized by christian demeanor and neighborly consideration for all men. Confidence was reposed in him as a counsellor and friend; his church continually honored him; in the most unobtrusive way he delighted to give aid to the needy. The very large practice of his profession maintained through a long series of years was proof of his fidelity to clients. Nobody impeached his integrity. None that knew him can doubt that he has passed over the river to rest in the shade of the trees. Mr. White was born in Montgomery county. Md., in 1817, and was 71 years of age at his death. He was a graduate of Princeton College, read law with Burton & Williams at Winchester, Va., and attended lectures on law at Yale College, New Haven. He. came to this county in 1840 and began the practice of law, whice he followed until his death. For forty years member of Zion (Episcopal) Church. Many years Vestryman and Warden. Superintendent of Sunday School, and always, nearly, delegate to the Councils of the Church. He was also President of the Jefferson County Bible Society. He leaves a widow and one daughter, the wife of Mr. Joseph Trapnell. His only son was killed at Chanceliorsville in the late war, and was a member of the Stonewall brigade. The funeral services took place on Monday afternoon in Zion church. Revs. Dallas Tucker. Jno. S. Gibson and 1,. R. Mason officiated. There was an immense congregation of sorrowing friends.
• Occupation: Attorney
• Religion: Episcopalian
• Education: 1837, College of New Jersey (now Princeton)
• Residence: 1840, Jefferson County, WV, USA
• Residence: 1840, Yale Law School

Notes:

Education:
Graduated from College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in the class of 1837

Residence:
He. came to this county in 1840 and began the practice of law

Residence:
Member of the class of 1840 of Yale Law School.

Nathan married MACKY, Frederica on 11 Nov 1841 in Frederick Co, VA. Frederica (daughter of MACKY, John and MCGUIRE, Rebecca Holmes) was born on 4 Apr 1816 in Frederick Co, VA; died on 9 Apr 1891 in Charles Town, WV; was buried in 1891 in Zion Church Yard, Charles Town, WV (Lot 81N). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]