World War II Honoree

Richard James Whitman

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Shelbyville, Tennessee

Honored By

Rosita A. Graham

Relationship

Daughter

STAFF SERGEANT. INDUCTED INTO THE UNITED STATES ARMY ON FEBRUARY 22, 1942 AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. HE BECAME AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC AND RECEIVED HIS TRAINING AT TRACTOR MECHANIC SCHOOL AT ABERDEEN, MARYLAND PROVING GROUNDS. WHILE AT FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA, HE WAS IN THE 406TH ORDNANCE MEDIUM MAINTENANCE COMPANY, THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEDIUM MAINTENANCE UNIT IN THE COUNTRY. HE WAS FEATURED IN THE 'APACHE SENTINEL' (FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1944) SHOWN TAKING A MOTOR OUT OF A TRUCK. HE SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS WHERE HE SUPERVISED THE CONTROL AND COORDINATION OF MAINTENANCE CREW TO INSPECT AND PERFORM ORGANIZATION MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND REPAIRS OF GASOLINE POWERED MILITARY MOTOR VEHICLES. RECEIVED THE WWII VICTORY RIBBON, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN THEATER RIBBON, AND ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER RIBBON. HE SERVED UNTIL JANUARY 27, 1946.