Biography

William E, “Whit” Whitworth was born August 27th, 1938, in the Mud Tavern Community in Davidson County, Tennessee He is the Great Great Grandson of James and Lucinda East Buchanan, close friends and neighbor of President (and General) Andrew Jackson, and a part of the original settlers of the area in 1781. The Mud Tavern was a site Andrew Jackson liked to hold practice (and real) duels. The family cemetery holds his family ancestors and four graves are marked with Revolutionary War DAR plaques for fighting in the Revolution and holding Revolutionary War land Grants.

Whit Whitworth has a BS Degree in History and Geography (with honors) from Middle TN State University, a master’s degree in vocational Guidance from Troy State University, and has completed additional graduate work in Cartography as well as doctoral studies in higher education at both the University of Tennessee and East TN State University. His studies were supported by assistance from Army scholarships and the GI Bill.

Whit Whitworth joined the US Army to become an Army Aviator after watching World War II and Korean War aircraft operate out of Berry Field (Nashville airport) as a child. His OCS service allowed him to complete flight training as an Army Officer. He attended and graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1958 (Class 001-58) in 51st Company (NGOC #1 18 Jun to 12 August 1958 . During the period after the Korean Conflict, only Commissioned Officers could attend flight training in the Army. He is rated in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft and served two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He also commanded the first US Army “Attack” helicopter unit organized at Fort Ord, California (155th Attack Helicopter Company).

Whit Whitworth retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1988 after 30 years military service. The last five were with the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) (now the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) in Washington DC mostly working worldwide Aviation Topographic mapping Requirements. His last year was as the Inspector General for the Hydrographic/Topographic Center. He immediately returned to Tennessee and went to work at Walters State Community College in Morristown, TN and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He renewed his service with the State of Tennessee by joining the Tennessee State Guard during Operation Desert Storm. His service included command of the 3rd Regiment in Knoxville and East Tennessee and the entire State Guard from May 1999 to July 2003, upon promotion to the State of Tennessee rank of Major General by Governor Don Sundquist and Tennessee Adjutant General (Major General) Gus Hargett. This was mainly due to his successful OCS completion that allowed him to have a successful career due to his OCS training and successful army service.

His active duty military awards include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), Bronze Star with OLC, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Army Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, Air Medal with 46 OLC’s and 2 “V” Devices, Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC’s, and numerous other service awards. He also holds the Adjutant General’s Distinguished Patriots Medal, TN NG Commendation Medal, Master Army Aviator Badge, and numerous TN State Guard medals and ribbons. In March 2018 he was inducted into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning Georgia.

He is an over 56 year member of McWhirtersville Lodge #375, F&AM in Donelson, Tennessee, a supporting member of Mossy Creek Lodge #353 in Jefferson City, TN, a member of both the York Rite and Scottish Rite Degree programs, a Shriner, Sojourner, and member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, Association of the US Army, Army Aviation Association of America, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the TN and East TN Historical Societies.

Whit Whitworth recently retired from the State of Tennessee as a Contract Review Specialist, Office of Inspector General, Tennessee Department of Human Services, with over 28 years of service to the State of Tennessee after his military retirement. Back

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