Governor Edgar Whitcomb

Former Governor of Indiana and three time Corregidor escapee. Author of the book “Escape from Corregidor” and “On Celestial Wings.

Edgar (“Ed”) D. Whitcomb enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was commissioned a second lieutenant the following year with the rating of aerial navigator. He served two combat tours in the Philippines during WWII. After his active military service, he graduated from Indiana University of Law. He practiced law in southern Indiana over a 30 year period including two years as assistant United States Attorney.

A graduate of the Army Command and General Staff course and the Air force Staff course he served in the Air Force reserve for 31 years and retired with the rank of Colonel. He served the State of Indiana USA as a senator, secretary of state, and governor.

Whitcomb’s experiences of evading capture, then being taken prisoner by the Japanese, escaping by an all-night swim from Corregidor, his recapture, and his ultimate repatriation from China as a civilian under an assumed name have made him a real part of history.