Joseph Daniel Whiten, Sr.
May 2, 1919 – November 17, 1979
Class: 43-K-TE
Graduation date: 12/5/1943
Rank at time of graduation: 2nd Lt.
Unit: 477th Composite Group
Service # 0817604
From: New York NY
Joseph Whiten served in the United States Air Force 1943-1946, he enlisted on February 17, 1942 in New York City, New York.
Joseph married to Eleanor Gaines (1922–1993) on graduation day after receiving his Pilot Wings. As relayed by his son, “They married on December 3, 1943 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Joe was a Tuskegee Airman stationed at Tuskegee Airfield and they got married right after he got his wings (because you could not be married and be in the training program).”
Whiten’s military occupation specialty code was as a Bomber Pilot-2 Engine Officer. He was attached to the 477th Composite Group when he received orders to deploy overseas. While on final leave before his overseas assignment in August 1945, the Armistice was signed ending future deployments. Whiten left active duty as a Captain as was recommended for and notified of his promotion to Major shortly before his separation from the Air Force Reserves in 1963.
Joseph and Eleanor Whiten (both college graduates) settled in New York City where they raided their three children, Gary, Joseph Jr. and Marc. The Whiten family were original tenants of the Riverton Apartments in the Harlem community. Joseph Sr., worked as part of the Management Team at Riverton. Always community minded, he supported his Tuskegee Airmen friend Percy Sutton on his political rise to the Borough Presidency.
Riverton was a major draw of returning Tuskegee Airmen. John L.S. Holloman, Flight Surgeon at Tuskegee, was the Whiten’s doctor. Dudley Glass, another friend and Airmen joined Joseph, Sr. in establishing an Air Explores Unit under the Boy Scout program for the local young boys. Other Tuskegee Friends including Wilfred DeFour and Floyd Carter and brother-in-law George Arnold Lynch and Bascom Hodge were a continuing presence in the Whiten family life. Joseph, Sr. and most of his fellow Airmen in Harlem were members of the 369 Armory Association lending support to other Veterans.
Whiten was honored in 2025 for his service as a Tuskegee Airman, with a wall dedication in the Military House on the Carroll University campus (Wisconsin) where his sons, Joseph Jr. and Marc attended and graduated from college.
CLASS TE-43-K
Top row L to R: 2nd Lt. Samuel Lynn, 1st Lt. Elmore Kennedy, 2nd Lt. Wendell Wells, 2nd Lt. Willie L. Byrd, and 2nd Lt. Harold E. Brazil.
Middle row L to R: 2nd Lt. Harold A. Hillary, 2nd Lt. Richard Highbaugh, 2nd Lt. Joseph D. Whiten, 2nd Lt. Eugene C. Cheatam, and 2nd Lt. Henry P. Hervey.
Bottom row L to R: 1st Lt. Fitzroy Newsum, 2nd Lt. Stewart B. Fulbright, 2nd Lt. Samuel A. Black, F/O Amos A. Rogers, and 2nd Lt. John L. Harrison.
(Official U.S. AAF Photo by AAF Training Command.)
Sources:
- From the Archives of Craig S. Huntly, Tuskegee Airmen Subject Matter Expert. Inglewood, CA via Col. Fitzroy “Buck” Newsom
- WikiTree
- Tuskegee Airmen Inc
