Corporal Donté Jamal Whitworth, 21, of Noblesville, Ind., was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz. He was born on June 20, 1987, and died on Feb. 28, 2009, in Taqaddum, Iraq, in a non-hostile vehicle accident near Al Taqaddum Air Base, about 50 miles west of Baghdad. In Combat Logistics Donte commanded supply convoys hauling a variety of goods between U.S. military bases in Iraq.
Donté had a large, tight-knit family. He grew up on a farm outside of town, graduating from Noblesville High School in 2005. Learning to drive a tractor at an early age, he helped his grandfather keep the farm neat and tidy. His grandfather bought him a used car when he got his license and Donté customized it, inside and out. His grandfather, Bob Williams, said he could be the contrarian. “If I was for the Colts,” he explained, “he’d be for the next team. If I’d be for the Democrat, he’d be for the Republican. He liked to argue. I’m sure he didn’t really feel that way, but he just liked to argue and make you take time to figure out what you were thinking and why.”
Standing 6′ 2″ tall, Donté carried an intimidating physique, and referred to himself as “The Black Brad Pitt.” He talked about becoming a drill instructor in the future.
Donté lavished attention on his three young nephews, who adored him. They were looking forward to seeing him come home for leave in just a few weeks. His visit was so close he had sent his duffel bag ahead.
He is survived by his mother, Carla Plowden (herself a Marine veteran of 20 years) and father, Daniel Whitworth; step-father, Kerry McGee; grandparents, Robert and Catherine Williams; uncle, Terry; aunt, Charlotte; aunt, Cynthia Reid (Eddie); three first cousins, Eddie (Tré), Jalan and Cheitric Reid; a host of other relatives, fellow Marines and friends.
Corporal Whitworth’s service and sacrifice will be honored at this year’s Indiana Golf Tournament. For more details on the event, please visit our event website.
