Family Visit
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Cheryl Sisk and Glenn Berry pose next to a painting of their uncle, 2nd Lt. George Whiteman, at the 509th Bomb Wing headquarters building Sept 7. They also visited a B-2 Bomber and historical Oscar - 01 launch control facility during their tour. Sedalia Army Air Field became Whiteman Air Force Base Dec. 3, 1955 in honor of Lieutenant Whiteman. A native of Sedalia, the lieutenant was one of the first American Airmen killed in World War II when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. During the attack of Bellows Air Field, Oahu, Lieutenant Whiteman managed to reach his fighter aircraft. While attempting to take off, enemy fighters attacked his plane. Lieutenant Whiteman's P-40 crashed, fatally injuring him. By the time rescue teams reached the aircraft, the lieutenant had died. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel A. Park)