Colonel (Ret.) Jack G. Whitted passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2014 at Sims Veterans Nursing Home. He was born on January 17, 1930 in Wheatly, Arkansas to the late Cecil & Kelsie Payne Whitted. He moved to Panama City in 1944 and graduated from Bay High School in 1947. After graduation from Wofford College in 1951 and marrying the love of his life, Elaine, he began his service in the United States Army where he proudly served for more than 30 years. During that service, he traveled the world including a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He was awarded many commendations including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. Through all of his travels, Panama City was always his home and he retired here with his family. He became a general contractor for 10 years and then worked for the Bay County Property Appraiser’s Office for another 10 years before coming as he called it a “Gentleman Farmer” at his farm on College Station Road. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; son, Mark; brother, Cecil Whitted; and sister, Hester. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Matt Sr., Matt Jr., Ave Whitted, Mary Elaine and Case Whitted, Michael Whitted, Melissa Whitted, all of Panama City Beach and Mitchell (Ginger) and Kristine and Karlie Whitted of Thomasville, GA. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 12 noon – 2 p.m. prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be the surviving members of the “Class of ‘47”, Richard McNiel, Jack Laird, Bobby Johnson and Ronnie Owen.
3 Responses to Whitted, Col (Ret) Jack G.
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May Jack Whitted rest in peace — he was a real American hero. I was with Jack Whitted’s 1/28th Inf Bn 09/66 – 09/67 & during Operation Attleboro in the Iron Triangle of Tay Ninh Province when Jack Whitted WELL-earned the Distinguished Service Cross for that battle. We killed approx. 484 VC that morning in a violent battle — for which we were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Capt. Rip Rubio was KIA in that battle — earned the Congressional Medal of Honor that day; Sgt. Kirk James earned the Distinguished Service Cross; the BN S3, Maj. Bill Hendon & the S3 Air (who only drank “white Russians”) — were both killed when their Helicopter was shot down — I ID’ their remains; the BDE Chaplain — Father (Capt.) Michael Quealy was also killed in another battle on that Operation; Capt. Ron Putnum, CDR, A Co. was KIA — shot right through the front of his helmut; our BN had approx. 20 KIA & 80+ wounded.
After we returned to our Base Camp in Phouc Vinh, Jack Whitted asked me to construct a still & run off some moonshine for the Southern boys in our BN for Christmas — which I did to contribute for a good as could be expected Christmas 1966. Prior to Christmas, Jack Whitted flew into Cambodia & shot a “VC” water buffalo with an M-16 from the hip at 1600 feet in a helicopter, jumped out of the chopper, slung a rope around the head & brought the water buffalo slung-loaded under the chopper for another wild game addition to our Christmas dinner.
I could tell you numerous other stories about this great man to attest to his humor & valor on the battlefield.
I am honored to have known & have served with Jack Whitted in Vietnam. I wish his Family well — they can be proud of him.
VR,
JOHN DOBLE
BLACK LION 09/66 to 09/67
Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Tampa, FL
jdoble@verizon.net
I remember one time at Quan Loi when was outside the perimeter walking down a hard top road when COL Whitted rode by on a bicycle. He said lieutenant if you don’t salute I will hit you in the mouth.
John, I remember you winning the arm wrestling match the night before we went to battle. I always thought “Plug” built the still.
You are right it was an honor to have known and served with COL Whittled
Charlie Wall
Col Witted helped load me onto a Medivac on the night of Dec. 30, 1966. I had been wounded when out on an ambush patrol. He helped load my buddy Jack Holt also. I survived, Jack Holt did not. The Col. stopped at the 3rd Field Hospital to visit me – I had been there a month. The day he stopped, they had allowed me to leave the hospital for a few hours and that did not sit well with him. They were told to get me out of the hospital and back to the 1/28, asap. He was a good soldier and a good man. I often think of him.