Corbet WHITAKER

Male 1921 - 1943  (22 years)


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  • Name Corbet WHITAKER 
    Born 26 Mar 1921  McDowell Co. WV Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current
      Name: Corbet Whittaker
      SSN: 226-16-2216
      Born: 26 Mar 1921
      Died: 16 Sep 1943
      State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)
    Gender Male 
    _UID DDA360B279524B16B9169186AC43457C5472 
    Died 16 Sep 1943  Killed in Action, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
      Name: Corbet Whittaker
      Inducted From: West Virginia
      Rank: Private
      Combat Organization: 83rd Chemical Battalion
      Death Date: 16 Sep 1943
      Monument: Sicily & Rome, Italy
      Last Known Status: Buried
      U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
    Buried Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno Provincia di Roma, Lazio, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • CENSUS RECORDS

      1930 United States Federal Census
      Name: Conet Rasnoke [Corbit Rasnake] [Whitaker]
      Gender: Male
      Birth Year: abt 1921
      Birthplace: Virginia
      Race: White
      Home in 1930: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
      Marital Status: Single
      Relation to Head of House: Son
      Father's Name: George Rasnake [stepfather]
      Father's Birthplace: Virginia
      Mother's Name: Nora Rasnake
      Mother's Birthplace: Kentucky

      1940 United States Federal Census
      Name: Corbet Whitaker
      Age: 19
      Estimated Birth Year: abt 1921
      Gender: Male
      Race: White
      Birthplace: West Virginia
      Marital Status: Single
      Relation to Head of House: Nephew
      Home in 1940: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
      House Number: 91
      Inferred Residence in 1935: Big Creek, McDowell, West Virginia
      Residence in 1935: Same Place
      Occupation: Coal Loader
      Industry: Coal Mining
      Attended School or College: No
      Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 1st grade
      Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 21
      Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
      Weeks Worked in 1939: 40
      Income: $950
      Income Other Sources: No
      Household Members:
      Earnest Whitaker 21
      Fanny Whitaker 37
      Helen Whitaker 16
      Omer Whitaker 13
      Tressie Whitaker 5
      Hevere Whitaker 12
      Corbet Whitaker 19

      MILITARY RECORDS

      World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
      Name: Corbet Whittaker
      Birth Year: 1921
      Race: White, citizen (White)
      Nativity State or Country: West Virginia
      State of Residence: West Virginia

      Enlistment Date: 10 Oct 1942
      Enlistment State: West Virginia
      Enlistment City: Huntington
      Grade Code: Private

      Source: Civil Life
      Education: Grammar school
      Civil Occupation: Unskilled occupations in extraction of minerals, n.e.c.
      Marital Status: Married
      Height: 68in.
      Weight: 132 lbs

      PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION

      President Roosevelt

      Corbet WHITAKER

      GENERAL ORDERS WAR DEPARTMENT No. 11 Washington 25, D. C., 30 January 1946 22.COMPANY C 83D CHEMICAL MORTAR BATTALION, is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy from 10 to 27, September 1943, near Chiunzi Pass, Italy. This company landed at Maori, Italy, with the Ranger Force on the night of September 8 and 9, 1943, with the mission of seizing the high ground controlling Chiunzi Pass and of securing the left flank of the Fifth Army. The holding of this position was vital for flank security, for observation on the plains of Naples, and for observation on German supply routes and communication lines to the Salerno battlefront. During this period, Company C exhibited unusual gallantry and determination in manhandling mortars and supplies to mountain tops. The men worked continuously, night and day, keeping the unit supplied. Mortar crews were cut down to one and two men per gun, and the remaining men fought with the Rangers and went on combat patrols. Subjected to almost continuous mortar and artillery fire, and repeatedly attacked by a determined, numerically superior enemy, Company C maintained extremely heavy fire and filled in all gaps in the Ranger line. Company C men fought side by side with the Rangers, using their automatic weapons and grenades with devastating effect. Company C mortar fire was of necessity brought to within 50 yards of friendly units as seven major counterattacks were repelled during the period, and numerous enemy patrols were stopped, often in bitter, close-in fighting. Company C's mortars kept the German Army supply route under continuous effective fire, although the supply route was 2,000 yards beyond the authorized range. The men and oficers of Company C, 83d Chemical Mortar Battalion, displayed extraordinary determination in supplying their mortars, which were at the top of the mountain, with ammunition and spare mortar parts. Despite limited food and water supplies and the continuous nature of enemy fire and activity, this company maintained its courage and determination throughout an extended onslaught by an enemy determined to wipe out its positions and made possible the successful accomplishment of a vital mission. {General Orders 647, Headquarters Seventh Army, Western Military District, 16 November 1945, as approved by the commanding General, United States Army Forces, European Theater {main}.


    Person ID I556  Master File
    Last Modified 19 Dec 2013 

    Father Marvin Kelly WHITAKER,   b. 24 Jul 1899, Tazewell Co. VA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Sep 1921, McDowell Co. WV Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 22 years) 
    Mother Nora HUNTER,   b. 04 Oct 1899, Knott Co. KY Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Oct., 1977  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 21 Sep 1917  Brewsterdale, McDowell Co. WV Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F86  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Ruth YOUNG 
    Children 
     1. Margaret Ann WHITAKER
    Family ID F211  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart