From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (African American Women Veterans in and from Kentucky)
Military Branch
Women's Army Corps
U. S. Army Air Forces
Active Duty Entered
January 16, 1943
Exit Rank
Tech 5
Notes
Juanita W. Cadena was married and living in Gary, IN when she enlisted in the Army, according to the record in Ancestry. She was born in Graves County, KY, the daughter of Granule and Leona Dawson Whittemore. The family was living in Housman, KY (Precinct 22), when they were enumerated in the 1920 U. S. Census. Juanita Whittemore was born a few months after the 1920 census was completed in January.
The family was living in Gary, IN when they were enumerated in the 1930 and the 1940 U.S. Censuses. Juanita joined the military in 1943. After her service she lived in Calumet City, IL and later moved to California, where she died and was buried in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.
Resources: Juanita Whittemore Cadena in Find A Grave; Kentucky Birth Index in Ancestry; and Public Records Index in Ancestry.
* Prior to 1947 the Army Air Forces provided the military's air-based forces. The U.S. Air Force became a separate military service with the National Security Act of 1947. There were women who continued in the Army while performing Air Force duties. In 1948, women in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) were able to transfer to Women in the Air Force (WAF). See Women in the Air Force, an Air University research guide.
The family was living in Gary, IN when they were enumerated in the 1930 and the 1940 U.S. Censuses. Juanita joined the military in 1943. After her service she lived in Calumet City, IL and later moved to California, where she died and was buried in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.
Resources: Juanita Whittemore Cadena in Find A Grave; Kentucky Birth Index in Ancestry; and Public Records Index in Ancestry.
* Prior to 1947 the Army Air Forces provided the military's air-based forces. The U.S. Air Force became a separate military service with the National Security Act of 1947. There were women who continued in the Army while performing Air Force duties. In 1948, women in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) were able to transfer to Women in the Air Force (WAF). See Women in the Air Force, an Air University research guide.
Kentucky County & Region
Read about Graves County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Kentucky Place (Town or City)
Read about Housman, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Item Relations
Cite This NKAA Entry:
“Cadena, Juanita Whittemore,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed July 27, 2024, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/index.php/items/show/300004437.
Last modified: 2023-05-10 16:48:07