By Julie Johansen
Louis Whimpey was recently honored at a Salt Lake Bees game for his service to the United States of America during World War II.
Whimpey has always loved baseball and spends much of his time watching it on TV. At a recent Bees game, Whimpey’s granddaughter MacKenzie invited the Bees’ mascot, Bumble, and announcer Tony Parks over to visit with her grandfather and take a picture. Whimpey was donning a Veteran’s ball cap and the conversation began. He told them he entered military service during WWII on Nov. 6, 1943. He was assigned to the 166th Quartermaster Corps as a Mechanic 104. He spent nearly two years in the Asiatic Pacific Theater in New Guinea and the Philippines. Whimpey began as a private and reached the rank of a technician fourth grade during his time in the military. He was discharged from Active Duty Service on April 16, 1946.
The Bees recognize those who have served and so Whimpey was invited back. The Bees organization was especially excited to have a WWII veteran in the crowd. Because of age, not many are able to make it to a game. Not only Whimpey, but 135 members of his family attended the game on Sunday, Sept. 3. Mr. and Mrs. Whimpey and 11 of their immediate family members were treated to a suite at the Bees game, complete with food and drinks. Other members of the Whimpey family were seated in two reserved sections directly below the suite.
The Utah State Capitol heard about the event through the Bees and also honored Whimpey. On Friday, Sept. 1, the Capitol building flew a flag in his honor. This flag was then presented to Whimpey at the Bees game on Sunday, along with a star-shaped plaque from the Bees, thanking him for his Military Service.
The 92-year old is a lifetime resident of Emery County, until recently when he moved with his daughter Karen Gordon to Syracuse, Utah. He and his wife Ruth raised 11 children, and have been blessed with 59 grandchildren,155 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. He is very humble about his service.
”He signed up, served and returned home with little to say about it,” his granddaughter shared. “He has remained loyal to his country and raised a very patriotic family.”