Thomas Sharpe

Hall of Fame

Hometown:

Billings, Montana

Olympic Experience:

  • 1964 Olympic Games Team Captain

Biography:

Retired Colonel Thomas Sharpe graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he was the Senior Cadet Colonel of the 3,000 Reserve Cadets. He commissioned through the Field Artillery branch as a Second Lieutenant. He graduated with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. Sharpe later earned an MBA from George Washington University.

After his commission, Sharpe served in World War II, serving in places such as France, Belgium, and Luxemburg. He took part in four major battles, including Battle of the Bulge, the relief of the 101st Airborne at Bastone, and the capture of Remagen Bridge over the Rhine River. He was awarded the Silver Star after the capture at Rhine River. He then served in Germany during the Korean War, and earned three more battle stars. Colonel Sharpe's other awards include the Bronze Star with Oak Badge, Army Commendation Medal with Gold Star, and the Combat Infantryman Citation.

Sharpe played a pivotal role in founding the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) and in the development of winning U.S. Shooting Teams through the military marksmanship programs in the 1950's and 1960's. Sharpe played a key role in President Eisenhower's signing of an executive order establishing the USAMU in March 1956.

Sharpe retired from the Army in 1966, and was retained by Remington Arms as a consultant. who nurtured a personal love of shooting. He was a Distinguished Rifleman and Distinguished Pistol shooter, and he also shot in the 1952 World Shooting Championships in Oslo, Norway, helping the USA team to place a close fourth.

Competition Highlights:

  • 1951 Distinguished Pistol Badge
  • 1952 World Championships Pistol Team Member - Fourth Team
  • 1956-1958 Executive Officer, USAMU
  • 1958-1959 Commanding Officer, USAMU
  • 1962 World Championships Team Captain