Tommy Leon WhiddonWarrant OfficerC TRP, 1ST SQD, 9TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV Army of the United States 16 February 1949 - 06 May 1970 Eglin Afb, Florida Panel 11W Line 118 |
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The database page for Tommy Leon Whiddon
Even though I never met you, YOU ARE REMEMBERED!! THANK YOU!!27 Sep 2002
Dear Tommy, I found out you were from Mossey Head, in Walton County, Florida, but you lived at Eglin when you went to Vietnam, so we are from the same county, about 10 miles away from each other. I was told that you said if you weren't flying a helicopter, you weren't living, so I know you died doing what you truly loved. Defuniak Springs has really come through for us on this one! Your mother is so sweet, and is happy to send me a picture of you for this memorial. I'll see you when I come to DeFuniak in a few weeks. I know where you are, so I'll see you often. You know, it's something that airwaves are what helped me find your mother. Something to do with flying, do you suppose? Thank you! I hope some of your classmates from Walton Senior High see this, and add to your memorial. I'm not sure what year you graduated, but hopefully they'll see your name.
From someone who thinks he's still important, Tommy on the Track Team
Photos taken from his high school annual (1967), |
I was privileged to be Tommy's friend at Walton High School. We both had Corvairs (not Corvettes) and we would drag race each other from time to time. The first time, he won. The second time, I won. Tommy was the kind of guy who was friendly to everybody. Even with his football fame and popularity, he was still Tommy, a good friend. Thank God for men like Tommy who were willing to serve and make the ultimate sacrifice for their country and for others in a foreign land who had been deprived of freedom.
Sincerely, |
Notes from The Virtual WallOn 06 May 1970, US forces initiated two new advances into Cambodia - one across the border from Tay Ninh Province and the other into the jungle region 23 miles north of Phuoc Binh. During these advances, an OH-6A light observation helicopter (tail number 67-16115) of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, was hit by machinegun fire. The pilot attempted to fly the damaged aircraft back into South Vietnam but didn't make it ... the LOACH crashed and burned while still in Cambodia. Two men died in the crash:
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 21 Sep 2002
Last updated 08/10/2009