World War II Honoree

James Robert 'J.R.' Whitlock

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Spotsylvania County, Virginia

Honored By

Capt Tom Whitlock

Relationship

Grandson

PART OF THE VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD, 29TH INFANTRY. WAS THE ONLY NATIONAL GUARD UNIT TO PARTICIPATE ON THE FIRST WAVE OF D-DAY. ASSAULTED THE CENTER OF OMAHA BEACH WITH THE 1ST DIVISION ON THEIR LEFT AND THE 2ND RANGER BATTALION ON THEIR RIGHT. ONE OF THE MACHINE GUNNERS ATOP THE AMPHIBIOUS LANDERS, AND LATER PUSHED INLAND. CONTINUED FIGHTING THROUGH FRANCE, HOLLAND, AND INTO GERMANY, CAPTURING ST. LO, MUNCHEN-GLADBACH, THE RUHR VALLEY, AND THE ELBE RIVER. ALSO AN AMATEUR BOXER IN THE UNIT.