Ceremony honors Whiteman legacy

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Matt Miller
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
SEDALIA, Mo. --  Nestled under a large oak tree in the Northwest corner of Sedalia's Memorial Park Cemetery rests an unassuming gravestone. Made of copper, it lays flush to the ground only breaking the dirt by about one-half inch and mirrors the head stones of hundreds of others laid to rest in this quaint, little cemetery. Now tinged green because of the many, many years of Missouri weather, raised letters on the head stone mark the "Day of Infamy" - Dec. 7, 1941.

Most visiting the cemetery might miss this gravesite if it weren't for a 12-foot flagpole and an urn cradling a small American flag - both marking the resting place of a fallen Airman and American hero.

And yet while unassuming in posture, the lasting memory of this grave's resident is enormous, for this is the gravesite of 2nd Lt. George A. Whiteman, the namesake of Whiteman Air Force Base.

Nearly 50 Sedalia residents, Whiteman relatives and base members paid homage to Lieutenant Whiteman and the men and women currently serving in the armed forces May 17 during the 20th Annual Whiteman Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony. The ceremony coincided with Armed Forces Day.

"Lieutenant Whiteman is the perfect namesake for Whiteman Air Force Base. He knew the risks and was a hero on that fateful day. His spirit lives on in Whiteman Warriors, here and deployed in harms way," Col. John Robinson Jr., 509th Bomb Wing vice commander, said at the ceremony. "Today, we salute Lieutenant Whiteman, our men and women who serve in the armed forces and all the selfless citizens who serve this great country."

Lieutenant Whiteman, a Sedalia native, was one of the first Airmen killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Lieutenant Whiteman ran to his P-40B Warhawk at Bellows Field when it was evident that the airfield was under attack.

As his P-40 was lifting off the runway, enemy gunfire threw the aircraft out of control and Lieutenant Whiteman was thrown out of the cockpit and died.

For his gallantry that day, Lieutenant Whiteman was posthumously awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Medal with a Foreign Service clasp, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with one bronze star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

"Whiteman was a local boy, and his sacrifices need to be remembered," said Dave Rouchka, the wreath laying ceremony coordinator. "I don't think people take the time these days to pay proper tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. This ceremony is just a small way to celebrate our history, the legacy of Lieutenant Whiteman and the men and women of the armed forces."

George Whiteman, born Oct. 12, 1919, at a farm near Lingwood, Mo., was the eldest of 10 children of John and Earlie Whiteman. This year's ceremony was also in memoriam of George's brother, Gene Whiteman, who passed in July 2007. A reserved seat, covered in a white sheet, was set aside in his honor.

"Gene made it a point to attend this ceremony annually," said Mr. Rouchka. "He understood the significance of his brother's accomplishments and his place in history."