PVT Whitaker in formation at Fort Benning

G.W. Whitaker, 555-54-1481 was assigned to the 483rd Transportation Detachment  as a Teletype Operator (05C20) at the time it was organized at Fort Benning, GA and traveled to Vietnam with the unit arriving in country on 9 June 1966.  On 7 July 1966 GW suffered a heart attack and died.  PVT Whitaker was a 23 year old single black male of the protestant faith.  His was the first death that the 281st suffered in country. 

GW joined the army on 25 November 1964 and attended basic training at Fort Polk, LA. He then attended advance training at Fort Gordon, GA and upon graduation he was assigned to Fort Campbell, KY as a Radio Operator.  He was transferred to Fort Benning, GA and the 483rd Transportation Detachment  in January of 1966, where the unit was preparing for shipment to Vietnam.

GW was born Lewisville, AK.  His family moved to Oakland, CA where he attended school, graduating from high school in 1961.  His parents were Mr. Giles Whitaker of 507, 33rd Street, Oakland, CA and Mrs. Celli Whitaker of the same address.