Daniel Preston Whitten

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Justin Raphael on February 12, 2010:

Dan Whitten and I first met together as Yearlings in the top floor of Washington Hall as members of small masochistic group of cadets who had arrogantly chosen to study Arabic with dreams of glory on future battlefields. After a few brain warping classes, it became quickly apparent to me that the gregarious guy sitting next to me in class was the guy to probably hang with because despite professing to never study, he always seemed to manage the highest grades in the class. We formed a fast friendship despite the polar opposite grades in that course. I needed any help I could get managing Physics, Arabic, Calculus, and American Politics in one semester and Dan never refused to tutor me for the next few years until I forced my way through to graduation. I think the best he got from me in return for his tutoring were tales of adventure and mischief and good rumors from around the Corps. Dan was a warrior through and through, however at West Point he distinguished himself not just as a member of the Infantry Tactics Club, an intramural hero, a leader of his Company Sandhurst team, or as a Gold Star student but also as a peacemaker. Dan's effusive smile, hearty laugh, and caring ear made him the best possible friend to have at West Point. There were many times in England, Germany, and hick towns along the East Coast where Dan would pull me back from the brink of some drunken disagreement with a stranger (or a fellow best friend) often with just a disapproving glance but mostly with a generous reminder of how much fun we could be having doing something else. Dan enjoyed life so very much. He was even willing to wear a Tie-Dye t-shirt bought in Berkeley with me to the most redneck Waffle House in Fayetteville just to see what would happen. That is not only funny, but very brave. Throughout the 10 years of knowing him, I can't say that I ever saw him depressed or down either. He simply had a love for life despite a professional calling that necessitated his mastery of combat. Dan's life was lived fully. He loved his wife Starr with every fiber of his body with a passion that every husband should be envious of. In fact, when Dan first got to Fort Bragg we went to lunch one day at McKeller's Lodge on post and saw a classmate who played an instrumental role in Dan spending an additional year at West Point. I asked Dan how he felt about the guy and about that additional year he spent there, I expected Dan to express something close to rage except I what I heard was much different, "If I hadn't spent that extra time at West Point, I never would've met Starr, so I would've done it many times over to have that happen." I was floored, but instantly I could see in his eyes and in his voice the first peer of mine who was experiencing true love. Dan loved you Starr. Dan's friendship is what I will personally miss the most. The list of selfless acts Dan did for me and so many others could fill many libraries, but allow me to list some of the more noteworthy; we traveled throughout the world together, eventually serving together in combat, he helped me buy my first house by actually moving the signing pen for me because I was too drugged up after laser eye surgery, he pushed me to go to Ranger School and dropped me off at Ranger School with the encouraging phrase " Don't come back without a tab!" he supported me when I was hurt in a relationship and steadfastly supported me when I fell in love, he housed my brother before SF Selection, and he sent me numerous thought provoking and caring emails throughout our trials and tribulations as Company level commanders and as Battalion Staff officers. When I needed a ring weekend date for Firstie Year, he introduced me to sister. He was a remarkable guy. We spent so many weekends together that I can't even think of just one as being more special than the next. He was a tour de force in life and friendship. The world needs to know about the death of Captain Daniel Whitten simply because he needs to be honored. When Dan was killed last week in Zabul Province Afghanistan, the world truly became a dimmer place. If Dan had his way I think, he'd want us to continue the fight in his absence, shed a tear for him, drink a beer for him, but to get back to life. He loved life fully and would want us to do the same. He will never leave me, his mark he left on me is too profound for me to cordon off, and I'm glad that I can't. There simply was no finer type of man than Dan Whitten. I'm honored to have been able to serve with him for 11 years. All of us who crossed passed with him were made better people because he simply couldn't help but infect you with his same passion and joy for life. Dan needs to be remembered for how he lived, not for the noble cause which he died for. Dan lived life with a full bodied vigor that went after every pursuit with enthusiasm and style. I can't imagine a more hearty laugh than his, or a more thought provoking speaker. In fact, to extol his virtues is not an easy task for there are so very many. And that's how all these men seem to be who are killed prematurely, but Dan truly more than any other was a man of many qualities. His best quality in my mind was his undeniably loyalty for his friends and family. There was no better man to have as a friend in life and in war than Dan. In life, Dan helped me keep perspective when times were tough and when they went great. Dan, was the guy who would push you forward to the Ranger objective even though you had given up faith in yourself. He renewed my own confidence after numerous stumbles along the way, and I can't picture being the man I am today without knowing him. Dan was the guy I wanted to be. Dan had it all, the beautiful wife, the indefatigable sense of humor, the razor sharp wit, the professional competence of a man with twice as much experience, and the charisma to win national elections. He could have waltzed his way into any line of work and done great, but he chose the toughest of assignments in the toughest of places because he knew it was where he was needed the most. Dan was twice the man I was, but I am humbled to have known him. I wish I could spend one last day with him just talking. He always made me laugh no matter what was going on. Even when I was in Iraq and he was in America or Afghanistan or we were on opposite camps in Afghanistan, we kept in touch. I think he kept me around because I was a good source of humor. What he may not have realized is that, I looked up to him. I thought that Dan was the epitome of what a good friend, student, athlete, leader, and Army officer ought to be. He represented what the best of America is with his honesty, enthusiasm, strength, sense of humor, creativity, intellectualism, and forgiving nature. It's tough to write a eulogy for a man who seems so alive in my mind right now. It's even harder to think about the utter void that his absence has created in so many lives for now until forever. He will never be forgotten. Dan, I love you. I'll see you one day and we'll sit back on the couch, crack a beer, and share a laugh.

admin