Thomas Mack Wilhoite

Infobox Military Person
name = Thomas Mack Wilhoite
born = birth date|1921|2|12
died = death date and age|1942|11|8|1921|2|12
placeofbirth = Guthrie, Kentucky
placeofdeath = Morocco
placeofburial=


caption =
nickname =
allegiance = United States of America
serviceyears = 1941–1942
rank = Ensign
branch = United States Naval Reserve
unit = " Ranger " (CV-4)
battles = World War II *Operation Torch
awards = Silver Star (posthumous)

Thomas Mack Wilhoite was born on 12 February 1921 in Guthrie, Kentucky.

Navy career

Wilhoite enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve on 16 June 1941 at Atlanta, Georgia, and received his aviation indoctrination training at the Naval Reserve Air Base, Atlanta, Georgia. On 7 August, he reported for flight instruction at the Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola, Florida, and was appointed an aviation cadet the following day. Transferred to NAS, Miami, Florida, on 15 January 1942 for further training, he became a naval aviator on 6 February. Three days later, he was commissioned an ensign and, at the end of February, reported to the Advanced Carrier Training Group, Atlantic Fleet, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia. There, he joined Fighting Squadron (VF) 9, then fitting out and, in time, became the assistant navigation officer for that squadron.
Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa, saw VF-9 assigned to the carrier USS Ranger (CV-4). Each section of the squadron drew assigned tasks on 8 November 1942, the first day of the landings; and "Wilhoite" flew one of five Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats which attacked the French airdrome at Rabat-Sale, the headquarters of the French air forces in Morocco. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire, he pressed home a determined attack and set three French bombers afire with his guns.

Awarded the Silver Star

In a second strike directed at the Port Lyautey airdrome later that day, "Wilhoite" flew as part of the third flight and destroyed one fighter, a Dewoitine 520 by strafing. However, the Vichy ground gunners served their weapons well; and "Wilhoite's" Wildcat took hits from the intense flak and crashed about one mile from Port Lyautey. "Wilhoite" received a Silver Star, posthumously, for displaying "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity" during the strikes at Rabat-Sale and Port Lyautey. The accompanying citation also cited Wilhoite's "superb airmanship and tenacious devotion to duty" in pressing home his strafing attacks. Although he was killed in action, Wilhoite had played his part in the significant operations of VF-9 in neutralizing Vichy French air power that, if unhindered, could have severely hampered Operation Torch.

Namesake

USS Wilhoite (DE-397) was named in his honor. It was laid down on 4 August 1943 at Houston, Texas, by the Brown Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 5 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Corinne M. Wilhoite, the mother of "Ensign Wilhoite"; and commissioned at Houston on 16 December 1943, Lt. Eli B. Roth in command.

ee also

References

:DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/w8/wilhoite.htm Thomas Mack Wilhoite]