Thomas Whaley papers

Collection

Identifier: NCC-0194

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Spanning the years 1939-2010, the Thomas Whaley papers primarily contain materials relating to Thomas Whaley and his brothers’ service during WWII and to local stories commemorating veterans. These include newspaper articles from the 1980s and 1990s that profile the Whaley brothers, and certificates and letters that celebrate Thomas Whaley’s service. Of particular note is a copy of a brief manuscript that his sister, Dorothy Wentz, sent to NBC’s Tom Brokaw in which Whaley tells of his military training, his experiences overseas, and his air combat missions over Europe. Also included are photo portraits of the Whaley brothers, articles on nephew Wallace Whaley’s promotion to general, and a framed display of Thomas Whaley’s patches and medals.

Dates

1939 - 2010

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Biographical / Historical

Thomas T. Whaley (born August 10, 1926) is a WWII veteran who enlisted in September 1940. He was stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for a year as part of Company D, 120th Infantry. In August 1941, he joined the Army Air Corps with his brother Wallace Whaley, while their two other brothers, Amos Ervin Whaley and James Douglas Whaley, joined the Marines. Thomas Whaley served as a radio operator/gunner in twenty-one combat missions over the Ardennes, the Rhineland, and central Europe. He was discharged on October 6, 1945.