Green Wix Unthank
Green Wix Unthank (June 14, 1923 – June 25, 2013) was an American attorney and United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, from 1980 to 1988, when he took senior status. A veteran of World War II, he went to college after the war and also earned his law degree. He served as a judge of Harlan County Court, had a private practice for several years, and also served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Green Wix Unthank | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky | |
| In office June 14, 1988 – June 25, 2013[1] | |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky | |
| In office June 18, 1980 – June 14, 1988 | |
| Appointed by | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629 |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Attorney of the 26th Judicial District of Kentucky | |
| In office 1970–1980 | |
| Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky | |
| In office 1966–1969 | |
| Judge of the Harlan County Court | |
| In office 1951–1958 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Green Wix Unthank June 14, 1923 Tway, Kentucky |
| Died | June 25, 2013 (aged 90) Harlan, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Wix Howard Cemetery, Loyall, Kentucky |
| Education | University of Miami School of Law (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Nickname(s) | Wix[1] |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1945 |
| Unit |  509th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
Education and career
Unthank was born on June 14, 1923[2] in Tway, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in Harlan County. He was the son of Green W. Unthank and Estelle (née Howard) Unthank, who were both teachers in the Harlan County public school system.[1] (Their unusual surname is an English habitational name, derived from three small villages in the shires of Cumbria and Northumberland, near the border with Scotland. The term was originally "unthanc" in Old English, meaning ‘without consent’, i.e. a squatter’s holding.)[3]
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 Infantry Regiment.[1] He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart, the latter due to injuries sustained in 1943 from a German hand grenade while in enemy territory. He was honorably discharged in 1945.[4]
After the war, Unthank completed his undergraduate degree and law school. He earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law in 1950. He served as a judge of the Harlan County Court in Kentucky from 1951 to 1958, where he used the name G. Wix Unthank professionally. After this tenure, he entered private law practice.
He served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky from 1966 to 1969. He was appointed as Commonwealth's Attorney of the 26th Judicial District of Kentucky, serving from 1979 to 1980.[4][5]
Federal judicial service
On December 19, 1979, Unthank was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States 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.
President Ronald Reagan involuntarily certified Unthank as disabled on November 30, 1987, pursuant to 71 Stat. 586.[6] Pursuant to the certification, Unthank assumed senior status on June 14, 1988, but continued to maintain a substantial caseload.[5]
Death
Unthank died on June 25, 2013, in Harlan, Kentucky at the age of 90.[4] He was survived by his wife, Marilyn Ward Unthank.[7]
Honors and legacy
On August 14, 2017, the Green Wix Unthank Memorial Bridge was dedicated in his honor. It crosses the Clover Fork River in Harlan County, Kentucky.[8]
References
- McConnell, Mitch. "Tribute to Judge G. Wix Unthank". Congressional Record. United States Government Printing Office. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- "Unthank". Obituaries - June 26, 2013. The Harlan Daily Enterprise. June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- "Unthank", Ancestry.com
- "Judge decorated WWII veteran dies". The Harlan Daily Enterprise. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013.
- Green Wix Unthank at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- "U.S. District Courts for the Districts of Kentucky: Succession Charts - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
- "The Honorable G. Wix Unthank". Harlan County Public Schools. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- "Bridge dedicated in honor of Unthank".
Sources
- Green Wix Unthank at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Seat established by 92 Stat. 1629 |
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky 1980–1988 |
Succeeded by Seat abolished |