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uni 1940s
James Whisenand

Major General James Franklin Whisenand was a member of the Army Air Corps, which eventually became the U.S. Airforce, who attended Uni either from 1925 or 1926 to 1928. It is unknown whether or not James Whisenand went attended freshman year at Uni High, as he is not mentioned once in the 1925 yearbook and the freshman group photo is too low in resolution and contains too many people for an accurate guess. However, it is most likely that he did attend, as he appears in the rest of the three years of yearbooks. Whisenand was an athletic teenager, attending basketball from sophomore to senior year. In his senior year, he added track, Thimble Theater Guild—where he was also elected publicity manager for the second semester—as well as the senior play.

After Uni, Whisenand went to the University of Illinois, graduating in 1933 with a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He joined as a flying cadet for the Army Air Corps in 1934 and was stationed around the U.S. until 1944, when now, in the Army Airforce, he was sent with his fighter wing to China. Afterward, he steadily climbed the ranks to Brigadier General until 1963 when he retired.

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Senior Quote

“Sir, I would rather be right than be President.”

Most Known For

His service during the Second World War.

Medals Received

  • Distinguished Service Medal

  • Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

  • Bronze Star, Air Medal

  • Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

  • Order of the Cloud and Banner (From China)

Notable Accomplishments

  • Graduated Uni - 1928

  • Bachelor's Degree - 1933

  • Joined Army Aircorps - 1934

  • Served in WW2 - 1944-45

  • Retired from Air Force- 1963