In
Memory of U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class
Robert Joseph Whites was born May 9, 1947, at Huron,
South Dakota, to Hugh and Evelyn (Davis) Whites. His
siblings were William, Larry, and Carol. Robert was raised
and educated in Iroquois, South Dakota. He graduated from
Iroquois High School in 1965 and went to Huron College until
1968. He married his wife, Karmel Hookie, on April 15, 1966,
at De Smet, South Dakota. In May of 1968, Robert and his
wife moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he worked for
North Central Airlines.
On September 11, 1968, Robert Joseph Whites was drafted
into the U.S. Army and entered active service in Sioux
Falls. Before he went overseas, he went to basic training
and advanced infantry training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. SP4
Whites went overseas on February 4, 1969, as a door gunner
aboard an assault helicopter for the 175 Aviation Co. Whites
wrote home in a letter dated February 24, 1969, of his
status:
It took me a week to get to my company
which I will be in the rest of my tour in Viet Nam. I am
in the aviation part of the Army. I was a gunner on a
helicopter but I put in for a supply clerk job and
luck[ed] out and got it. I really don’t have it that bad
now.
I am in a place called Vinh Long. It
is about the size of Iroquois with a large air strip in
it. We have some of the best living quarters in Viet
Nam. We have house girls that shine our boots, clean the
place up. We don’t do a thing to the hut. We don’t pull
KP because they have civilians doing it.
Here is part of another letter sent March 13, 1969:
I have been getting lots of letters so
it sure helps to pass time. This clerk job is ok but I
sure miss flying. I guess I might as well stay with this
and do
my flying when I get back to the states. Flying is great
but getting shot at just isn’t the thing you want to go
through everyday. Those helicopters get right
in there with all the action.
Specialist Fourth Class Robert Joseph Whites was first
reported missing in action in Vietnam on July 24, 1969. He
died in a helicopter explosion over Vietnam. His body was
returned to the United States and buried in the Iroquois
cemetery with military honors.
Among his award SP4 Whites was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross; according to the newspaper, the citation read
in part:
Specialist Whites was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroic action,
without regard for his life, in keeping an enemy force
pinned down by fire, prior to his aircraft being
destroyed from a booby-trap bomb. Specialist Whites’s
conspicuous gallantry, extraordinaire heroism and
intrepidity showed great devotion to duty and reflected
great credit to himself and the country for which he
gave his life.
He was also awarded the Air Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service
star, Vietnam campaign ribbon, Aircraft Crewman badge,
Expert Badge with the machine gun and automatic rifle bars,
and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar. Part of the
citation for his Air Medal is as follows:
During this time [From 6 June 1969 to
24 July 1969] he actively participated in more than
twenty-five aerial missions over hostile territory in
support of counterinsurgency operations. During all of
these missions he displayed the highest order of air
discipline and acted in accordance with the best
traditions of the service. By his determination to
accomplish his mission in spite of the hazards inherent
in repeated aerial flights over hostile territory and by
his outstanding degree or professionalism and devotion
to duty, he has brought credit upon himself, his
organization, and the military service.
At the time of his death he was survived by his mother,
Evelyn, father, Hugh; his two brothers, William and Larry, a
sister, Carol, and wife, Karmel.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Jamin Battles, 8th
Grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, on
October 6, 2005. Information for this entry and profile
approval was provided by William Whites, brother of Robert
Whites.
View
Dedication Promotional Video
