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Whittlesey, Henry C. (0358386): Difference between revisions
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|birth_place=Chongqing, China | |birth_place=Chongqing, China | ||
|arm_or_service=Military Intelligence | |arm_or_service=Military Intelligence | ||
|rank_final=Captain | |||
}} | }} | ||
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== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
, who never made it home. Henry Clark Whittlesey was born August 10, 1906 in Chongqing, China. Henry was one of six kids born to his parents, Roger and Annie Withey Whittlesey. Henry learned Chinese as a boy growing up. From July 1944 to 21 January 1945, Captain Henry Clark Whittlesey was serving with an unspecified unit of the U.S. During that time, Captain Whittlesey, fluent in the Chinese language, was on a top-secret mission (the Dixie Mission) in Japanese-occupied Shannxi (Shensi) province in northwest China. On 21 January Captain Whittlesey (in civilian clothes), along with a communist photographer-guide, visited a village close to Japanese-controlled territory. The snipers mortally wounded both Captain Whittlesey and the photographer. Captain Whittlesey’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. He earned the following: Medals and Awards Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain [[Whittlesey, Henry C. (0358386)|Henry C. Whittlesey]] (ASN: 0-358386), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces during World War II. Captain Whittlesey's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Both were China Inland missionaries. He went to Chefoo Schools in China through 1918. | , who never made it home. Henry Clark Whittlesey was born August 10, 1906 in Chongqing, China. Henry was one of six kids born to his parents, Roger and Annie Withey Whittlesey. Henry learned Chinese as a boy growing up. From July 1944 to 21 January 1945, Captain Henry Clark Whittlesey was serving with an unspecified unit of the U.S. During that time, Captain Whittlesey, fluent in the Chinese language, was on a top-secret mission (the Dixie Mission) in Japanese-occupied Shannxi (Shensi) province in northwest China. On 21 January Captain Whittlesey (in civilian clothes), along with a communist photographer-guide, visited a village close to Japanese-controlled territory. The snipers mortally wounded both Captain Whittlesey and the photographer. Captain Whittlesey’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. He earned the following: Medals and Awards Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain [[Whittlesey, Henry C. (0358386)|Henry C. Whittlesey]] (ASN: 0-358386), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces during World War II. Captain Whittlesey's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Both were China Inland missionaries. He went to Chefoo Schools in China through 1918. | ||
<!-- Dan Gross timeline enrichment --> | |||
The timeline research also records Born and raised in China, Henry Whittlesey moved back to the United States before going to college. It was during this trip that the burgeoning thirty-year-old diplomat began to reveal his nascent literary talent. He was also a member of the Dixie mission (1944-5), an American observation mission to Yan'an, China, to investigate and consider establishing official relations with the Chinese Communists. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Henry C. Whittlesey was a writer and a member of the Dixie Mission. | |||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
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== Timeline == | |||
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed soldier-timeline"> | |||
<div class="soldier-timeline-body"> | |||
* The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Henry C. Whittlesey (ASN: 0-358386), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces.... | |||
* Born and raised in China, Henry Whittlesey moved back to the United States before going to college. After marrying Jane Bernard, who gave birth to his first child Julia (Feeley) in 1942, he was summoned to help the American government explore means of cooperating more closely with the Communists in China as Roosevelt became increasingly dissatisfied with.... | |||
* Class 3 (Photo Interpretation). | |||
* Distinguished Service Cross. | |||
</div> | |||
</div><div style="clear: both;"></div> | |||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
* Camp Ritchie | * Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data | ||
* Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records | |||
* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present) | * NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present) | ||
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | * 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | ||
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2022-12-26 (1 post) | * Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2022-12-26 (1 post) | ||
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Henry C. Whittlesey for Camp Ritchie'' (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed) | |||
* Dan Gross, ''Timeline of Whittlesey, Henry C. for Camp Ritchie'' (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: HENRY C. WHITTLESEY.doc) | |||
Revision as of 03:30, 31 August 2026
| Henry Clark Whittlesey | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 August 1906 Chongqing, China |
| Died | 1945 |
| Nativity | United States |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Arm / service | Military Intelligence |
| ASN | 0358386 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Rank at Ritchie | First Lieutenant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 3 (2 November – 23 December 1942) |
| Section | H |
|
| Distinguished Service Cross |
- Killed in action. Listed in By The Numbers/Awards (from Ritchie Boy Secrets by Beverley Driver Eddy).
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Henry Clark Whittlesey (10 August 1906 – 1945) was a Ritchie Boy (from United States) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 3.
Biography
, who never made it home. Henry Clark Whittlesey was born August 10, 1906 in Chongqing, China. Henry was one of six kids born to his parents, Roger and Annie Withey Whittlesey. Henry learned Chinese as a boy growing up. From July 1944 to 21 January 1945, Captain Henry Clark Whittlesey was serving with an unspecified unit of the U.S. During that time, Captain Whittlesey, fluent in the Chinese language, was on a top-secret mission (the Dixie Mission) in Japanese-occupied Shannxi (Shensi) province in northwest China. On 21 January Captain Whittlesey (in civilian clothes), along with a communist photographer-guide, visited a village close to Japanese-controlled territory. The snipers mortally wounded both Captain Whittlesey and the photographer. Captain Whittlesey’s courageous actions and extraordinary heroism that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. He earned the following: Medals and Awards Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal Distinguished Service Cross Citation (Synopsis) The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Henry C. Whittlesey (ASN: 0-358386), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces during World War II. Captain Whittlesey's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Both were China Inland missionaries. He went to Chefoo Schools in China through 1918.
The timeline research also records Born and raised in China, Henry Whittlesey moved back to the United States before going to college. It was during this trip that the burgeoning thirty-year-old diplomat began to reveal his nascent literary talent. He was also a member of the Dixie mission (1944-5), an American observation mission to Yan'an, China, to investigate and consider establishing official relations with the Chinese Communists. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Henry C. Whittlesey was a writer and a member of the Dixie Mission.
Research notes
- To Yale. See: Mission to Yenan
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 39 |
| Class_ASN | 358386 |
| Class_Name | WHITTLESEY, Henry C. |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Timeline
- The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Henry C. Whittlesey (ASN: 0-358386), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces....
- Born and raised in China, Henry Whittlesey moved back to the United States before going to college. After marrying Jane Bernard, who gave birth to his first child Julia (Feeley) in 1942, he was summoned to help the American government explore means of cooperating more closely with the Communists in China as Roosevelt became increasingly dissatisfied with....
- Class 3 (Photo Interpretation).
- Distinguished Service Cross.
Sources
- Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. (The Ritchie History Museum), Classes 1–31 roster data
- Dan Gross research spreadsheets, including original Excel timeline/roster work, combined with other research and records
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2022-12-26 (1 post)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Henry C. Whittlesey for Camp Ritchie (private research document; 1 source documents reviewed)
- Dan Gross, Timeline of Whittlesey, Henry C. for Camp Ritchie (private research files; selected non-private narrative findings; 1 source files: HENRY C. WHITTLESEY.doc)