General John Lathrop Throckmorton was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 28, 1913. After graduating from Culver Military Academy in 1931, he attended and graduated from the United States Military Academy on June 12, 1935, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. In World War II, he was assigned to the G3 Section, First Army in the European Theater from 1943 to 1946.

After the war, he served in the TAC Department at West Point from 1946 to 1949. He took command of a battalion in the 5th Regimental Combat Team in Hawaii from 1949 to 1950 and later became the regimental combat team commander from 1950 to 1951 during the Korean War. After the war, he attended the National War College in 1954, and later became Commandant of Cadets at West Point from 1956 to 1959.

He served from 1959 to 1960 as Assistant Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division, followed by an assignment as Secretary General Staff, Office of the Chief of Staff Army from 1960 to 1962. He took command of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1962 to 1964, then deployed to Vietnam as Deputy Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from 1964 to 1965. His service in Vietnam was followed by an assignment as Deputy Commander, Office of the Chief Army Reserve from 1965 to 1966.

Throckmorton also served a tour of duty in 1967, commanding Task Force Detroit during the Detroit riots. He held successive commands as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps (1967); Commanding General, Third United States Army, (1967 - 1969); and Commander in Chief, United States Strike Command, (1969 - 1973).

General Throckmorton retired in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1973. He died on February 13, 1986 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal (3), Silver Star, Legion of Merit (2) and the Bronze Star.

He died February 13, 1986 in Washington, D.C.