World War II Honoree

Eugene Malcolm Whittaker

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Bakersfield, California

Honored By

Patrick Lawrence Whittaker

Relationship

Son

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY IN JULY 1941. STARTED OUT WITH THE 13TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 8TH INFANTRY DIVISION. IN JUNE 1942 WAS SELECTED AS PART OF CADRE TO REACTIVATE THE 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION. INITIALLY SERVED AS A SERGEANT WITH G COMPANY, 317TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION. WENT TO OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL IN 1943. RETURNED AND JOINED DIVISION HEADQUARTERS 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION AS A MASTER SERGEANT. WENT OVERSEAS IN 1944 WITH THE 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION TO EUROPE AS PART OF GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY. SERVED WITH DIVISION HEADQUARTERS 80TH INFANTRY DIVISION THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE WAR.