World War II Honoree

Robert Truman 'Bob' Whitlock, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Fletcher, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

DRAFTED INTO MILITARY SERVICE IN 1943 AT AGE 18, BEFORE COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL. SERVED IN THE AMERICAN THEATER AT CAMP WHITE AT MEDFORD, OREGON, AND CAMP ADAIR AT CORVALLIS, OREGON (1943-44). STAGED WITH HIS UNIT AT CAMP PATRICK HENRY AT ORIANA, VIRGINIA ON MARCH 30, 1944 AWAITING OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT. SAILED FROM THE HAMPTON ROADS PORT OF EMBARKATION ON APRIL 14, 1944 AND ARRIVED IN NORTH AFRICA ON APRIL 21, 1944. LANDED IN ITALY ABOUT JUNE 19, 1944. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER WITH THE 91ST INFANTRY 'POWDER RIVER' DIVISION, FIFTH U.S. ARMY. PARTICIPATED IN THE ROME-ARNO, NORTH APENNINES, AND PO VALLEY CAMPAIGNS. WOUNDED 3 TIMES AND MEDICALLY EVACUATED BY AIR TO AN ARMY HOSPITAL IN ROME, ITALY. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 3 BRONZE SERVICE STARS (3 CAMPAIGNS), AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. AUTHORIZED THE PRESIDENTIAL (DISTINGUISHED) UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION BY HIS REGIMENT IN COMBAT. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AT THE END OF THE WAR AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON. RETURNED TO HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATED IN 1946.