Three safe trips across the seas and back were all that George Whitney of the U.S.S. Harrisburg, was able to experience. On the fourth trip, George caught bronchial pneumonia and that was enough to claim his life. His experiences before the Navy were fulfilling and worth sharing.
George Wayne Whitney was born in Merrillan, Wisconsin on March 3rd, 1896. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Whitney, did not move to Marshfield until he was around one year old. George attended Marshfield High School and graduated in the year 1915. After graduation he went to Ripon College for one year, and Marquette College for a year and a half. George was a member of the Alpha Gamma Phi, the Marquette club and was a general manager of the M.J. Power Company.
After college, George married Dorothy Whittington on June 6th, 1917. They planned to keep their marriage a secret until the war was over. Almost a year after they wed, April of 1918, George decided to join the navy. On May 10th he was called out to seas on the U.S.S. Harrisburg as a first class seaman. During the time George spent away, he was writing letters to his parents. The last letter that was received by Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Whitney on October 8th stated, "I am feeling fine and everything is O.K."
George Whitney passed away on October 19th, 1918. The funeral was the following Sunday. His funeral included full military honors, such as Co. 1, Wisconsin State Guards and the Second Regiment Band.
The service for the family was held at Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Whitney's home. Immediate family, such as his brother Lloyd and his parents, were there along with many out of town relatives. Mr. George Wayne Whitney, a patriotic and dedicated citizen now rests at the Hillside Cemetery. His name is proudly on the War Veterans Memorial downtown.
Nikki Weiler, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids
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