James Arthur Wilhite, USA LtCol., Retired; Vietnam Veteran
A true Southern Gentleman passed away at the age of 84.
August 7, 1936 – April 2, 2021
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Connie; two sons: Joel Wilhite (Terri); Greg Wilhite (Michelle); Grandchildren: Taylor Wilhite (Margo); Andrew Wilhite (Kaylee); Callie Wilhite; Bailey Yutzy (Jeremy). He is missed every single day.
Jim attended the Citadel and graduated with a degree in Science Education, 1958.
Military Assignments:
• Upon graduating from the Citadel, Jim received a regular Army commission and was sent to Ft. Knox as an Armor officer. Jim went to flight school in San Marcos, Tx and Fort Rucker, AL and then sent to helicopter training at Mineral Wells, TX. Jim was assigned as tank battalion pilot at Fort Stewart, GA.
• He taught ROTC at Stetson University for 3 years and then earned a Master’s in Personnel Management from Florida State while on assignment with the Army.
• October 1961 his tank battalion was sent to Europe for the Berlin Buildup.
• Jim commanded the Fourth Squadron, Seventh U.S. Cavalry in DMZ of South Korea.
• Jim was sent to Vietnam as a Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Armored Calvary Squadron in Northern South Vietnam.
• He attended Command General Staff College and became Senior Aide to Major General George Patton, III (son of WWII General Patton) who was commandant of the Armor School.
• When assigned to Korea, he commanded the Fourth Squadron, Seventh U.S. Cavalry (which was Custer’s old unit) in the DMZ in South Korea.
Jim received many ribbons and medals during his Army Career including:
Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Two Bronze Stars for Valor, One Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Two Meritorious Service Badges, Air Medal, Five Army commendation Ribbons, Army Aviator Badges, and Vietnamese Awards
Upon retiring from the Army in 1978, Jim went on to become President of Prince Bush Management Company in Winter Park, Fl. He supervised construction of 15 hotels of which several are/were in the historic district of Savannah GA and at one time, Charleston, GA.
An Honors Memorial will be held July 2 in Avon Park.
Posted in: From Mrs. Wilhite
Posted on: 2021-05-26
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