Green Wix Unthank
Hon. Green Wix Unthank | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky | |
| In office June 14, 1988 – June 1, 2012[1] | |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky | |
| In office June 18, 1980 – June 14, 1988 | |
| Nominated by | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Seat established on October 20, 1978 by 92 Stat. 1629 (temporary) |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished on June 14, 1988 (temporary judgeship expired) |
| Judge, Harlan County Court, Kentucky | |
| In office 1951–1958 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 14, 1923 Tway, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | June 25, 2013 (aged 90) Harlan, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Resting place | Wix Howard Cemetery, Loyall, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Spouse | Marilyn Ward Unthank |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Judge, prosecutor |
| Awards |  Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
| Nickname | Wix[1] |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940-1945 |
| Unit |  509th Parachute Infantry Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Green Wix Unthank (June 14, 1923 – June 25, 2013) was a United States federal judge.
Early life and education
Unthank was born on June 14, 1923[3] in Tway, Kentucky, the son of Green W. Unthank and Estelle Howard Unthank, both teachers in the Harlan County school system.[1]
Military service
After graduating from Loyall High School in 1940, Unthank enlisted in the United States Army, serving during World War II as a paratrooper in the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion.[1] He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart as a result of injuries sustained from a German hand grenade while in enemy territory in 1943. He was honorably discharged in 1945.[2]
Career
Unthank earned a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1950. He was a judge on the Harlan County Court, Kentucky from 1951 to 1958, after which he entered private practice. He was an assistantU.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 1966 to 1969, and was a Commonwealth's attorney of the 26th Judicial District of Kentucky from 1979 to 1980.[2]
On December 19, 1979, Unthank was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (created by 92 Stat. 1629). He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 18, 1980, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on June 14, 1988.
Death
Unthank died on June 25, 2013, in Harlan, Kentucky at the age of 90.[2] He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ward Unthank.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d McConnell, Mitch. "Tribute to Judge G. Wix Unthank". Congressional Record. United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e The Harlan Daily Enterprise - Judge decorated WWII veteran dies
- ^ "Unthank". Obituaries - June 26, 2013. The Harlan Daily Enterprise. June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ^ "The Honorable G. Wix Unthank". Harlan County Public Schools. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
External links
- Green Wix Unthank at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- 1923 births
- 2013 deaths
- American military personnel of World War II
- Assistant United States Attorneys
- Disease-related deaths in Kentucky
- Judges of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- Kentucky state court judges
- People from Harlan County, Kentucky
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- United States Army personnel
- United States district court judges appointed by Jimmy Carter
- 20th-century American judges
- University of Kentucky alumni
- University of Miami School of Law alumni