Kirklin American Legion Post 310 has a new mural on the side of its building and is catching the eye with positive reviews from many locals and visitors in town.
The mural was done by Artist Leah Kallner with help from Scott Kallner. The finishing touch of phase 1 was done in time for the Annual Rabbit Supper for Veterans Day. The last piece was the name tag on the unknown solider. The name tag reads THARP and here is why.
A young man of Kirklin by the name of Paul Arnold Tharp Born April 15th 1950, born to James William Tharp & Maddie Estelle Hughes Tharp enlisted and was called to duty Feb 2nd 1970 during the Vietnam era.
Corporal Paul Tharp is remembered by family and friends and has a brother Burl Tharp living in Kirklin.
SERVICE OVERVIEW
NAME PAUL ARNOLD THARP
FROM CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA
BORN APRIL 15,1950
DEATH JULY 1st 1970
RANK CORPORAL
BRANCH US ARMY SPECIALTY: MILITARY POLICEMAN
GROUP: 18th MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE 93rd MILITARY POLICE BATTALION, 16th MP GROUP, 66th MP COMPANY
CAUSE: KILLED IN ACTION
LOCATION: SOUTH VIETNAM, KONTUM PROVINCE
AWARDED : PURPLE HEART
Paul is honored also on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 09W,Line 109.
COMMENDATIONS
PURPLE HEART
NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL
VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL
VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL
ARMY PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
VIETMAN GALLENTRY CROSS
ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL.
HONORS AND SOME INFORMATION CITED BY HonorStates.org
Corporal Tharp was laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery Kirkin, Indiana.
The Kirklin American Legion will be having a fundraiser in the near future to be able to finish phase 2 of the mural.
