Lester J. Whitlock (October 27, 1892 – October 18, 1971) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War I and World War II, he attained the rank of major general and was most notable for his post-World War II service as commander of the 10th Mountain Division and U.S. Army Caribbean Command.
A native of Piqua, Ohio, Whitlock graduated from Miami University in 1914 and served in the Ohio National Guard while planning to apply for a commission in the United States Army. He served on the Mexico–United States border during the Pancho Villa Expedition, and in 1917 completed officer training and received appointment as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery. During World War I and the post-war American Forces in Germany, Whitlock managed transportation at the Brest, France, port of embarkation.
During World War II, Whitlock served as General Douglas MacArthur's assistant chief of staff for logistics (G-4) as MacArthur successively commanded U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, South West Pacific Area, and U.S. Army Forces Pacific. After the war, Whitlock remained as MacArthur's G-4 during MacArthur's assignment as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers during the Occupation of Japan.
After returning to the United States, Whitlock commanded the San Antonio (Texas) General Depot, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Riley and the Army General School, and U.S. Army Caribbean Command. He retired in November 1954, and his decorations included two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal and four awards of the Legion of Merit. In retirement, Whitlock was a resident of Coral Gables, Florida. He died in Miami on October 18, 1971, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Early life
Lester Johnson Whitlock was born in Piqua, Ohio, on October 27, 1892, the son of Nora M. (Gilbert) Whitlock and Horace E. Whitlock. He was educated in Piqua and graduated from Piqua Central High School in 1910. Whitlock attended Oxford, Ohio's Miami University, from which he received a A.B. degree in 1914. While in college, Whitlock became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
After completing his education, Whitlock worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron and joined the Ohio National Guard's Battery B, 1st Field Artillery Regiment with the intention of obtaining a commission in the United States Army. He served until August 1917, and took part in his unit's activation for service on the Mexico–United States border during the Pancho Villa Expedition. During his National Guard service, Whitlock was promoted to corporal and sergeant.
World War I
In July 1917, Whitlock completed the Citizens' Military Training Camp held at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and applied for an army commission. He was accepted, and in August he received appointment as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery.
Whitlock was assigned to the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment for World War I and completed training with his unit at Camp Fremont, California. The 2nd Field Artillery was part of the 8th Division's 8th Field Artillery Brigade. The division did not deploy to France as a unit; some components went overseas as part of American Expeditionary Force, Siberia and some were recalled before arriving in Europe and demobilized. The 2nd Field Artillery was part of an 8th Division contingent that went to France in late summer 1918, where they constructed and managed the Allied port of embarkation in Brest. Whitlock remained in France after the war as railway transportation officer for soldiers assigned to American Forces in Germany, and assisted them in returning to the United States for demobilization. During the war, Whitlock was promoted to first lieutenant and captain.
Post-World War I
After the war, Whitlock was assigned to the 5th Field Artillery Regiment and posted to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1922, he was assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a student at the Field Artillery School's Battery Officers' Course. He graduated from the course in 1923, after which he was assigned as assistant professor of military science for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Oklahoma. While in this assignment, Whitlock became a member of the Scabbard and Blade society. In addition to his R.O.T.C. duties, Whitlock engaged in other initiatives, including leading a horseback riding course for female students.
Whitlock's subsequent assignments included the 7th Field Artillery Regiment at Madison Barracks, New York, and inspector and instructor for the Field Artillery units of the New York National Guard. In the early 1930s, he served as commander of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp at Sulphur Springs, Texas.