Commanding General, Middleton Air Material Area
Shade 193 - Silver Tan

General Lyman P. Whitten was born1897 in Malden, Massachusetts. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Reserve Corps and rated a reserve military aviator and after some flying training he was honorably discharged (1918). Later he was appointed a first lieutenant of Air Service in the Regular Army (1921).

After more schooling he joined the 42nd Squadron as flying instructor and squadron engineering, communications and operations officer. He served with the 19th Pursuit Squadron, Hawaii (1926); assistant engineering office and chief inspector, 65th Service Squadron.

After many various posts and positions in the U.S. he headed a group of officers to determine the feasibility of logistical support of air transport of planned operations of the 20th Air Force against Japan (1944). Later that year he was assigned as commanding general of the Air Force Service Command to the Mediterranean Theater in the headquarters in North Africa.

He served as assistant chief of staff, Germany (1945); deputy assistant chief of staff for materiel (1946); director of maintenance, supply and services in the Office of the Deputy chief of Staff for Materiel (1947); commanding general of the Newfoundland Base Command (1949); commander-in-chief of the U.S. Northeast Command (1950).

In February 1952, he was named commanding general of the Middletown Air Materiel Area with station at Olmsted Air Force Base, Pa until his retirement on July 1, 1956.

He was rated a command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer. His medals include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Bronze Star Medal with other various foreign medals.

He died September 29, 1989.