Freedom Remembered

Born Dec. 19, 1981

Died Feb. 2, 2010 in Afghanistan

Capt. Daniel Whitten, 28, of Grimes, Iowa, graduated from Johnston Senior High School in 1999 and the United States Military Academy in 2004 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry in May 2004. While at West Point, Dan distinguished himself as one who stood for the values the academy. Helpful to his fellow cadets, he treated everyone with dignity and respect. Although he seemed to manage to get the highest grades, he claimed he never studied. He said his biggest accomplishment there was his impact on his subordinates and he hoped others learned from his mistakes. He attended Infantry Officers Basic Course, Basic Airborne School and Ranger School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and reported to Fort Bragg in March 2005 and was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, then served four months in Iraq. In January 2007, he deployed for 15 months in Afghanistan. Last August, Dan became the commander of Company C, 1-508th PIR, and deployed for his third time. He was killed in action in Zabul province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Daniel’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Senior Parachutist’s Badge, and the Ranger Tab. His survivors include his wife, Starr Whitten; his parents, Jill Whitten of Grimes and Dan Whitten of Florida; and a sister, U.S. Army Capt. Sarah Whitten, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.