Richard Frank Whiteman
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Richard Frank Whiteman served in World War II and during the Cold War.
Mr. Whiteman joined the Navy on February 20, 1943. He entered the Navy’s V-12 College Training Program while still in high school. He studied architecture for three years, graduated at age 20, and was commissioned an Ensign.
He went to advanced mine sweeping school and was assigned to the USS Satinleaf (AN-43), a net tender and was subsequently assigned to the USS ATR-88. Later, he was assigned to serve on staff at Commander, Service Forces, Atlantic (COMSERVLANT).
He was discharged on November 10, 1948.
Mr. Whiteman received the: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the American Theater Medal.
Mr. Whiteman was born in Mankato, Minnesota, the son of Lester and Grace Whiteman. He graduated from high school in Austin, Minnesota, in 1943.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form; veteran’s account (below)
“I entered the Navy V-12 College Training Program before I finished high school, and studied architecture for three years, and graduated at twenty years old, and then was commissioned an ensign. Went to advanced mine sweeping school and was assigned to a net tender AN-43, and then later to rescue tug, and then on the staff of CONSERVLANT (Commander, Service Forces, Atlantic Fleet).”
