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Missing Soldier: Corporal Harvey Eugene Whitacre

Was the young soldier a master spy? Or a tragic victim of circumstance?

· Missing Veterans,Cold Cases,Harvey Whitacre,Sandia Base,Cold War

“While Corporal Whitacre had access to a limited amount of classified information, such information was not of a character vital to the national defense”

 

Official Army Statement

Washington Associated Press

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Harvey Eugene “Gene” Whitacre

 

 

Date Of Birth: 10/6/1926 (Kokomo, Indiana)

Parents: Harvey Whitacre & Eva Mina Nicholson-Whitacre

Siblings: Ben Whitacre, James Robert Whitacre, Sarah Catherine Whitacre, Mary Lou Whitacre, & Martha Jean Whitacre

Address Prior to Enlistment: 1211 East Mulberry St. Kokomo, Indiana

Date Missing: 6/30/1947 (Some reports say 7/1/1947)

Missing From: From a Bowling Alley in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Bernallilo County)

Height & Weight: Around 5'9 Around 155 lbs

Hair & Eyes: Both Brown

Wearing: Army Issue Casual Dress (Pants, Shirt, Tie, Hat & Boots)

Rank: Corporal-Technician 5th Grade

Stationed: Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM (Now Kirtland AFB) as part of a

Special Weapons Project.

Other: Wore Very Strong Prescription Glasses (Could NOT see without them)

EARLY LIFE

Harvey Eugene Whitacre was born on October 6th, 1926 to Harvey and Eva Whitacre in Howard County, Indiana. (He went by Gene) Both parents were in their 40s when he was born. His father was a farmer and his mother, Like many of her generation was a housekeeper. The Whitacre's had a large family consisting of 3 boys and 3 girls. Gene graduated from Kokomo High School in 1944. After schooling Gene worked at the Kokomo Tribune as an apprentice to his brother Ben in the composing room for 18 months. In November of 1945 Gene registered for the Army, And within 2 years was stationed at the Top Secret Sandia Base in Albuquerque, NM that was run by the the United States Department of Defense. The base was not only the principal Nuclear Weapons Research Center at the time. It also played a major role in the country's nuclear deterrence capabilities for years after its creation in 1946. In 1971 the base merged with Kirtland AFB.

DETAILS OF DISAPPEARANCE

Corporal Gene Whitacre was on a 24hr leave from Sandia Base where he was stationed in Albuquerque, NM on 6/30/1947. Corporal Whitacre was the treasurer of a league that was bowling at an alley on the outskirts of Albuquerque the night he disappeared. Since he was treasurer of the league, It is reported that he was carrying around $500 in cash the night he disappeared. One July 3rd his blood stained shirt , hat and his prescription glasses were found in an alley a few streets over from the bowling alley. It was reported that Gene was practically blind without his glasses. The shirt appeared to have 2 tears in the back that are consistent with stab wounds. Since Gene wasn't stationed at an ordinary armed forces base, and all officers (and non officers) had to be accounted for at all times. They immediately took notice of his absence and declared him AWOL. Local Law Enforcement and well as the FBI was notified and an investigation was underway. The Federal Government was obviously concerned as his absence could be interpreted as a possible security breach that could have an impact on national defense. However, the investigation soon went from one of a possible security breach, To a probable robbery based on evidence and the amount of cash he was carrying at the time. Other than his shirt, hat and glasses, nothing of any value was ever recovered. The case soon went cold. No suspects were ever hinted at or publicly named. He was eventually declared deceased in 1954 and his brother (and former coworker at the Kokomo Tribune) took over his estate since Gene was not married. (Or kids)

Analysis

It's easy to try and make a spy case out of this. Or even a conspiratorial one. Gene worked at a Top Secret installation and was likely privy to classified information. Whether that information was of any significance at a national level is anyone's guess. The official government position was his clearance didn't give him access to anything that would damage national security. But anyone with half a brain knows that even if it did, The government wouldn't admit to it then or now. I have read online that his family's phones were bugged for years afterwards by the F.B.I. Not sure how they would know that. But if that were true, That kind of a reaction makes you wonder what kind (If any) damaging information he had at his disposal. Although, One could also look at it as the government just covering their bases. If you look at everything in a logical fashion. The government's position (As well as local LE's) on Gene's disappearance was probably the correct analysis to make based upon the facts. There is no reason to think Gene was a spy of any sort. The fact that his shirt, hat, and glasses were found validates the analysis more than anything else. Yes, One could speculate that those were left behind to make it seem as tho there was a robbery. A good way for a spy to to fool the government into thinking he is dead. But that's what they do in the movies. Not in real life. No spy ever wants to leave a trail of evidence behind. That is just asking to get caught. Not to mention very foolish. However, One could also speculate Gene could've met with someone he was passing information to. And that something occurred during the transaction and he was killed as a result. But again, Why would they leave evidence behind? Again, That would be foolish. You're just asking to get caught doing that. I think it is more likely that robbery was the motive. Could it have been one of the people in the league? You can't count anything out. But remember this occurred at a bowling alley. Many people were there. It wouldn't be hard for a person (Or a few) to notice Gene collecting cash for his league and simply keep their eyes on him. The interesting thing to me is how the culprit(s) could get him away from the others in the league. Maybe he stayed after the league was done bowling? Maybe they got to him when he was walking to his car? It is logical to presume they went to the same bowling alley for league. Maybe Gene had a routine of staying for a period of time afterwards? It's easy to go down a rabbit hole just thinking about it. The fact of the matter is whoever is responsible did indeed get Gene alone. (Presumably alone) Or at least in a vulnerable position. My opinion based on all that is known is that Gene was robbed and killed for the money he had in his possession. Whether it was someone he knew or didn't know really doesn't matter at this point. Odds are they are long gone at this point. I felt it was important to write this entry because this man needs remembered as a good young man. A PATRIOT who died way too young at the hands of scum. I don't believe there is any conspiracy here.

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