Lowell Wheeler Whiteman (son of Clayton Whiteman and Augusta Olivia Wheeler)1 was born February 07, 1918 in Hayden, Routt County, Colorado1, and died May 12, 2001 in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona1. He married Marian Elma Davis, daughter of Clyde Morris Davis and Elma Curtin.
Attended the Norton School in Claremont, Ca. Graduated from Pomona College in 1940. Served in the U.S. Navy 1942-45. Commanded landing craft in North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Elba and Southern France. Founded Whiteman School.
He has one child by his first marriage to Madelyn Pierce:
Gregg Pierce
Lowell Whiteman Biography
Lowell W. Whiteman is a native Coloradan, born February 7, 1918 in Hayden, Colorado. His parents were pioneers in Northwestern Colorado.
He attended the Norton School for Boys, a private boarding prep school in Claremont, California.
He was high school student body president.
He was football team captain.
He traveled to Germany in 1936 to see the Olympics.
He received his B.A. from Pomona College.
He was college class president.
He taught in a one-room country school.
He graduated from the United States Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Columbia University, New York City, and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
He attended the American Theater Wing in New York City and studied acting under Lee Strasberg and dance with Hanya Holm.
He took post graduate work in Education at the University of Colorado.
He was a staff member at Perry-Mansfield Camps in Steamboat Springs before and after World War II.
He was radio announcer and actor for Columbia Broadcasting System, Hollywood, California.
He wa deck officer U.S.N.R. for four years during World War II making five invasions in the Mediterranean Theater.
He was Master at Arizona Desert School in Tucson, a private prep boarding school for boys.
He was Founder and Director of Whiteman Camp for Boys, Steamboat Springs.
He was Founder and first Headmaster for the Whiteman School, a coeducational college prep boarding school in Steamboat Springs.
He was Director General of Colegio Americano de Guayaquil and Colegio Americano de Quito in Ecuador, South America.
He was appointed by the U.S. Ambassador to the Fulbright Commission in Ecuador for three years.
He received a U.S. Navy Commendation for an amphibious landing on the island of Elba (World War II).
"Elba, least important of the three larger islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea, was not voluntarily evacuated by the Germans. Hitler insisted, probably because of its association with his hero Napoleon, on holding it "to the last man and the last cartridge." And the French Army of Liberation in Corsica insisted on taking Elba, because they wanted something to do before helping to liberate their own country. So Operation Brassard, to capture Elba, was set up for a D-Day of 17 June 1944.
The troops under General Henry-Martin, 12,000 in number, were French, North African and Senegalese. Since this was a shore-to-shore operation mounted in Corsica, the men were lifted in beaching craft and LCPRs towed by motor launches. The naval commander, the portly, genial and vigorous Rear Admiral Thomas Troubridge RN, had for flagship a converted LCI. His invasion flotilla included the ubiquitous Barnes with three PT squadrons, 40 or more Navy-manned LCI, and a few LST of the United States Navy. Gunfire support, in small supply, was rendered by three antique British river gunboats and three other small craft.
This rugged little island, about 30 miles long, was garrisoned by about 3000 Germans -- many times the Intelligence estimate -- and they were so well provided with coastal and mobile batteries that the convoy steering into Golfo di Campo on the south shore, was met by murderous fire. Several LCI were sunk and for a time it looked as if nobody would get out alive; but the British SNOL (Senior Naval Officer Landing), Captain Errol Turner, gamely ordered troop-loaded craft to land on other beaches, the six small gunfire support craft did wonders, and by noon all beachheads were joined and only one battery was still giving trouble. The Germans, as soon as they saw the black faces of the Senegalais and heard the wild whoops of the goumiers and tabors, surrendered in droves; and by 19 June the entire island was in French hands." Morison, Samuel Eliot; The Two-Ocean Navy pp. 364-5
Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service 11784
190222 Whiteman, Lowell, W., Lt. (D), USNR, Steamboat Springs, (Routt), Colorado
Place of Separation NOPSC Los Angeles, Calif.
Character of Separation Honorable Release to Inactive Duty
Address from which employment wil be sought Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Race W Sex M Marital Status Single U.S. Citizen Yes Date of Birth 2-7-18 Hayden, Colorado
Means of Entry Enlisted Date 1-9-42 Commissioned 1-21-43 Date of Entry Into Active Service 10-26-42
Net Service (For Pay Purposes) (Yrs., Mos, Days) 3-9-20
Place of Entry into Active Service USNR Midn. Sch., N.Y., N.Y.
Qualifications, Certificates Held Qualified Deck Underway, Assault Boat Officer, Civil Readjustment Officer
Ratings Held None Foreign and/or Sea Service Yes
Service Schools Completed
USNR Midn. Sch., N.Y., N.Y. 16 weeks
ATB Little Creek, Va. 4 weeks
ATB Camp Bradford, Va. 10 weeks
NPSC Sch. Great Lakes, Ill. 3 weeks
Service
Con Lan Crab Naw
USS LST 381
USS LST 352
NOPSC Los Angeles, California...
Remarks
Medals and Awards American Area European Theatre (5 Stars) World War II Victory
Signature H.N. Reedy Lt. USNR.
Name and Addrress of last Employer Worchester Broadcasting, San Diego, California
Date of last Employment From 6-1-42 To 11-1-42
Main Civilian Occupation and D.O.T. No. 0-69.21 Radio Production
Job Preference ??? Type, Locality, and General Area Livestock Colorado Rocky Mountains
Preferences for Additional Training None
Vocational or Trade ?????? None
Remainder Illegible
The "Lowell Whiteman Hall" high school building in Guayaquil, Ecuador was named for him.
He was part of an expedition into the upper Amazon visiting head-shrinking Jibero Indians.
He built a 42-foot gaff-rigged ketch and sailed it from Ecuador to Mexico.
He acted in and directed plays for Community Theater in Steamboat Springs and Quito, Ecuador.
He acted in television commercials in Ecuador and ran a hacienda.
He is presently on the Board of Trustees of the Whiteman School and Perry-Mansfield.
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