Staff Sgt. Justin R. Whiting, 27, was killed in action on Jan. 19 when his vehicle was struck by an IED while conducting combat operations 16 kilometers south of Mosul, Iraq. He was a Special Forces medical sergeant assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He has had two previous combat tours to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 with 3rd Bn., 5th SFG(A), and was on his third combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
Whiting was born in Texas and his military records list his home of record as Tennessee. He volunteered for military service and enlisted in the Army on Dec. 15, 1999. He would go on to earn the coveted “Green Beret” in 2000.
Whiting’s military education includes; the Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course; Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Warrior Leaders Course, Basic Airborne Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include; the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, two Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global on War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Special Forces Tab.
Whiting is survived by his mother, Estelline, of Colorado Springs, Colo., father, Randall, of Hancock, N.Y., sister, Amanda, of DuPont, Wash., and brother, Nathan, of Dover, Tenn.
– DE OPPRESSO LIBER –
