Lt. Col. James E. Whittaker

AGF US Army

181st Infantry National Guard

Commander 104th Infantry

0163701

James Edward Whittaker was born April 4, 1894 to James and Maria J. McCartney Whittaker in Worcester, Massachusetts. His father was born in England.

James E. Whittaker was an attorney in his home state of Massachusetts. He attended Georgetown University. James married Irene Denno. Their son, James Robert also served during WWII and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Upon his enlistment in 1934 to the 181st National Guard Infantry , Mass. James E. Whittaker was promoted to Major. The 181st trained at Camp Edwards and were part of the Carolina Maneuvers from September to December 1941.

Major Whittaker was Battalion Commander of the 104th Infantry when they were called to active service January 16, 1941. He was also part of the training staff. He was promoted to Lt. Col.

On Oct. 3, 1942, Lt. Col. James Edward Whittaker was killed in a non- battle plane crash. This occurred in Newfoundland, Labrador, Canada.

Lt. Col. James E. Whittaker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor by the Fitchburg Lodge of the Elks which his widow accepted on his behalf.

The final resting place of honor for Lt. Col. Whittaker is Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Interment was December 2, 1949.

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Sources:

181st Infantry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/181st_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)

History Of Mass. National Guard

https://www.massnationalguard.org/index.php/history/army-national-guard-history.html

Canada in WWII

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_in_World_War_II

Plane crash

https://www.fold3.com/image/713425754

Medal of Valor

https://www.fold3.com/memorial/657810601/lt-col-james-edward-whittaker/gallery

FindAGrave

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49362769/james-edward-whittaker

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