View source for John Whelchel

{{Short description|American naval officer and football coach (1898–1973)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=John Esten Whelchel
|image= John Esten Whelchel.jpg
|caption=
|nickname= "Billick"
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1898|4|1}}
|birth_place=[[Hogansville, Georgia]], U.S.
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1973|11|5|1898|4|1}}
|death_place=[[Portsmouth, Virginia]], U.S.
|placeofburial= 
|allegiance= {{flagu|United States of America}}
|branch= [[File:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears=1916–1949
|rank=[[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|38px]] [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]]
|unit=
|commands={{USS|San Francisco|CA-38|3}}<br/>{{USS|McCall|DD-400|3}}
|battles= {{tree list}}
* [[World War I]]
* [[World War II]]
** [[Pacific War]]
*** [[Battle of Okinawa]]
{{tree list/end}}
|awards=[[Legion of Merit]] (2)<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]]
|relations= 
|module=
{{Infobox college coach|embed=yes
| image              = 
| alma_mater         = [[United States Naval Academy]]
| player_years1      = 1916–1919
| player_team1       = [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy]]
| player_positions   = [[Quarterback]], [[Halfback (American football)|halfback]]
| coach_years1       = 1919–1924, 1926
| coach_team1        = Navy (asst.)
| coach_years2       = 1942–1943
| coach_team2        = Navy
| coach_years3       = 1949
| coach_team3        = [[Washington Redskins]]
| admin_years1       = 1943
| admin_team1        = Navy
| overall_record     = 13–5 (college)<br>3–3–1 (NFL)
| championships      = 
| awards             = 
| coaching_records   =
}}
}}
'''John Esten''' "'''Billick'''" '''Whelchel''' (April 1, 1898 – November 5, 1973) was a decorated officer in the [[United States Navy]] with the rank of [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice Admiral]], [[American football]] player, coach, and college athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at the [[United States Naval Academy]] from 1942 to 1943, compiling a record of 13–5. In 1949, he was the head coach for the [[National Football League]]'s [[Washington Redskins]], tallying a mark of 3–3–1.

==Early life==
Whelchel was born on April 1, 1898, in [[Hogansville, Georgia]], but he spent his childhood in [[Washington, D.C.]] His family had a deep history with the military: his maternal grandfather [[James Longstreet]] was a general for the [[Confederate States Army]] during the [[American Civil War]] while his older brother James Longstreet Whelchel went to the [[United States Military Academy]].<ref name="Whelchel Succeeds">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115283512/|title=John Whelchel Succeeds 'Swede' Larson as Navy Grid Coach|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Constitution]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 23, 1941|access-date=January 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115283718/|title=Descendants of Civil War Heroes Enter War of 1917|newspaper=[[The Washington Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=May 27, 1917|access-date=January 2, 2023}}</ref>

After graduating from [[Western High School (Washington, D.C.)|Western High School]], Whelchel attended the [[United States Naval Academy]] in [[Annapolis, Maryland]], where he played quarterback and halfback for the [[Navy Midshipmen football]] team. He was also on the school's [[Navy Midshipmen men's basketball|basketball]] and [[Navy Midshipmen baseball|baseball]] programs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115284235/|title=Washington lads star in college athletics|newspaper=[[The Washington Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=April 23, 1918|access-date=January 2, 2023}}</ref> He graduated in 1919. During his studies at the Academy, he also served in European water during [[World War I]] as a midshipman.

==Navy coaching career==
Upon his return to the United States and graduation, Whelchel was assigned to the football coaching staff under head coach [[Gil Dobie]] followed by Dobie's successor [[Bob Folwell]]. In 1926, he helped out the school's freshman team.<ref name="Whelchel Succeeds" /> He served at the Academy until 1927, when he was transferred to the battleship {{USS|Florida|BB-30|6}}.

As his service in the Navy continued, Whelchel coached the football teams for various naval installations during the 1920s and 1930s beginning with the ''Florida''. His service assignments at [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] and aboard the {{USS|Idaho|BB-42|6}} also saw coaching stints.<ref name="Whelchel Succeeds" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115284559/|title=Idaho, All Tars Team Mix Tonight|newspaper=[[San Pedro News-Pilot]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 21, 1935|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref>

On June 22, 1938, now Lieutenant Commander Whelchel was appointed a Commanding Officer of newly commissioned Destroyer {{USS|McCall|DD-400|3}}. ''McCall'' was assigned to the patrol duty in the Pacific and Whelchel spent next two years at sea with Destroyer Squadron Six, [[Battle Force]], under the command of [[Freeland A. Daubin]]. He was finally succeeded by Lieutenant Commander [[Edwin Fullinwider|Edwin G. Fullinwider]] on June 15, 1940.

Whelchel returned to the Naval Academy in 1941, where he became backfield coach of football team under [[Swede Larson]]. At the end of the season, Larson departed for the [[United States Marine Corps]] as the country entered [[World War II]] and Whelchel was promoted to head coach in his place.<ref name="Whelchel Succeeds" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Steadman|first=John|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2000-12-03-0012020164-story.html|title=As player, coach and leader, he was Marines' gift to Navy|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=December 3, 2000|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref> Whelchel inherited a team in a difficult situation as the demands of the war, which forced the Naval Academy to condense the academic curriculum into a three-year course, meant only six starters returned to the team for 1942.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zurlinden|first=Pete|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115286276/|title=Middies give little time to football|newspaper=The Bristol News Bulletin|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 27, 1942|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref> Prior to the season, he described the upcoming schedule as "suicide" and "about hopeless" to succeed in.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zurlinden|first=Pete|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115289221/|title=New Navy Football Coach Faces Suicide Slate With Slim Material|newspaper=[[Morning Sentinel]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 20, 1942|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115289289/|title=Navy's Football Situation 'Hopeless,' Says New Coach|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 23, 1942|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref> While the Midshipmen regressed from their 7–1–1 record the previous year, they defeated Army to finish 5–4. On December 18, Whelchel was named Captain and the Naval Academy's new athletic director, the latter of which he took over from former college teammate [[Lyman S. Perry Sr.]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115286351/|title=Navy's coach made captain|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=December 19, 1942|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Sport Sparks">{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Lou|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115289371/|title=Sport Sparks|newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 30, 1943|access-date=January 8, 2023}}</ref>

The Midshipmen improved in 1943 to an 8–1 record and ranked fourth in the final [[AP poll]]. Whelchel's team developed a reputation for its strong defense, with an observer calling him "a great guy for rigging up a defense for one game. He isn't too fancy on attack, but he knows all the answers on defense."<ref name="Sport Sparks" /> He won the [[Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy|Lambert Trophy]] at the end of the year.

When Whelchel was called into service in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theater]], his position as head coach was filled by Commander [[Oscar Hagberg]], who was returning from there.<ref>{{cite news|last=Menton|first=Paul|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115289466/|title=Hagberg Appointment Awaits Navy Orders|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 26, 1944|access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref>

==Sea duties during World War II==
[[File:NH 95410 USS MCCALL (DD-400).jpg|thumb|right|Commissioning ceremony of destroyer [[USS McCall (DD-400)|USS ''McCall'']] at Mare Island Navy Yard in June 1938. Captain [[James L. Kauffman]], Captain of the Yard (left) with Rear Admiral [[David W. Bagley]] (center), Commandant of the Yard and Whelchel, new commanding officer of ''McCall''.]]
Whelchel was transferred to the Pacific theater in 1944 and subsequently took command of heavy cruiser {{USS|San Francisco|CA-38|6}} on March 10, 1945, where he succeeded another [[American football]] player [[Harvey Overesch]]. Whelchel commanded that ship during the [[Battle of Okinawa]] and was subsequently awarded with [[Legion of Merit]] with [["V" Device]] and [[Bronze Star Medal]] for his leadership of the ship.<ref>{{cite book|last=Maxymuk|first=John|title=NFL Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920–2011|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|year=2012|pages=337|isbn=978-0-7864-6557-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gw3_obTNh4QC&q=John+E.+Whelchel&pg=PA337|access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref> In July, the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] claimed to have sunk the ''San Francisco'', which was refuted by the United States Navy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115303633/|title=Navy Denies Cruiser San Francisco Sunk|agency=[[International News Service|INS]]|newspaper=[[Pasadena Star-News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=July 11, 1945|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref>

Whelchel continued in command of the USS ''San Francisco'' and sailed toward the Philippines to prepare for an [[Operation Downfall|invasion of the Japanese home islands]]. The cessation of hostilities in mid-August, ceased any combat operations, and Whelchel began to prepare San Francisco for occupation duty. During August 1945, Whelchel commanded the ship during the show of force in the [[Yellow Sea]] and [[Bohai Sea|Gulf of Pohai]] areas and subsequently covered minesweeping operations.

On November 27, 1945, ''San Francisco'' was ordered back to the United States, arriving at San Francisco in the middle of December. Whelchel commanded the ship to the East Coast, where she arrived at [[Philadelphia]] for inactivation on January 19, 1946.

Whelchel was subsequently assigned to the [[Naval Station Pearl Harbor]], where he was the chief of staff for the [[United States Pacific Fleet]]'s [[ComServPac]]. He also returned to football as an assistant for the Hawaiian Warriors coached by [[Keith Molesworth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115303856/|title=Local Football Will Miss Genial Admiral Whelchel, Gridiron Star|newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=August 20, 1948|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref> In November 1947, he was promoted to the rank of [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115303769/|title=23 New Admirals Named; Four in Hawaii Area|newspaper=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 21, 1947|access-date=January 22, 2023}}</ref> He also received his second [[Legion of Merit]] during his assignment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=315042 |title=Valor Awards for John Esten Whelchel|publisher=valor.militarytimes.com |date=July 4, 2010 |access-date=December 27, 2015}}</ref>

Upon permission from [[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]], [[John L. Sullivan (United States Navy)|John L. Sullivan]], Whelchel retired from the active service in 1949. He was advanced to the rank of [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice admiral]] on the basis of combat citations. Whelchel was also eligible for retirement pensions due to the longevity of his service.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115303716/|title=Washington Grid Pros Name Whelchel Coach|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[The Indianapolis Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 6, 1949|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref>

==Washington Redskins==
In 1948, [[George Preston Marshall]], the owner and president of the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]], was unhappy with the work of Redskins head coach [[Turk Edwards]]. Despite the team's success in the first half of the decade, they suffered from a lack of continuity at the head coaching position as Edwards' predecessors [[Dutch Bergman]] and [[Dudley DeGroot]] resigned amid tensions with leadership.<ref>{{cite news|last=Burick|first=Si|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115362092/|title=Harmon Convinced Hate-To-Lose Lessons He Learned In Sports Brought Him Back To Tell Tale|newspaper=[[Dayton Daily News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 2, 1944|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/01/19/archives/degroot-resigns-as-redskin-coach-turk-edwards-succeeds-him.html|title=DeGroot resigns as Redskin coach|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 19, 1946|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/01/22/archives/degroot-leaves-for-los-angeles-quit-redskins-for-bigger-and-better.html|title=DeGroot leaves for Los Angeles|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=January 22, 1946|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref> Marshall declared he would pursue a "nationally known coach", but surprised fans when he hired Whelchel instead; Marshall explained he selected Whelchel "out of hundreds of applicants" as he "like[d] his football ability."<ref name="Dusting 'em off">{{cite news|last=Newman|first=Zipp|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115365599/|title=Dusting 'em off|newspaper=[[The Birmingham News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 8, 1949|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref> He signed a five-year contract to coach the team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115363291/|title=Whelchel to Coach Redskins|agency=[[United Press|UP]]|newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 6, 1949|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref>

Although Whelchel ran the [[single-wing formation]] as Navy's head coach, he opted to retain the Redskins' [[T formation]]. He also kept Edwards' assistants [[Herman Ball]], [[Frank Walton]], and [[Wilbur Moore]] on his staff.<ref name="Dusting 'em off" /><ref>{{cite news|last=McQueen|first=Red|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115366352/|title=Hoomalimali|newspaper=[[The Honolulu Advertiser]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=February 12, 1949|access-date=February 15, 2023}}</ref>

Despite not having coached in six years, Whelchel quickly developed a rapport with players. Redskins quarterback [[Sammy Baugh]] described Whelchel in [[Myron Cope]]'s book, ''The Game that was'':

<blockquote>Marshall thought the admiral would put a lot of discipline in the ball club. Well he showed up, and he looked like anything but an admiral. He was just a kind of average-looking guy, not very impressive. And the funny thing was, he turned out to be a real nice fellow. All the player liked him, although he wasn't as up on his football as he should have been.<ref>{{cite book|last=Maxymuk|first=John|title=NFL Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920–2011|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|year=2012|pages=337|isbn=978-0-7864-6557-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gw3_obTNh4QC&q=John+E.+Whelchel&pg=PA337|access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

Another Washington player, [[John Koniszewski]], recalled his experiences with Whelchel at training camp:

<blockquote>He's using psychology on us, and I like it. Take that first day of camp, for example, when he let us play tough football and left us completely alone. We did more work than we would have done with routine stuff.<ref>{{cite book|last=Richman|first=Michael|title=The Redskins Encyclopedia|publisher=[[Temple University Press]]|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|year=2008|pages=35|isbn=978-1-59213-542-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W8pvThJ6lRMC&q=Rear+Admiral+John+Whelchel&pg=PA35|access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

Whelchel's Redskins opened the [[1949 Washington Redskins season|1949 season]] with a 38–7 loss to the [[Chicago Cardinals (NFL, 1920–59)|Chicago Cardinals]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Atchison|first=Lewis F.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115410906/|title=Whelchel Seeks Cure For Redskin Faults As Steelers Loom|newspaper=[[Washington Evening Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=September 28, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> The team rebounded with a win over the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], but alternated victories and defeats through the first five games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Atchison|first=Lewis F.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115411496/|title=Giants Outplay Rookie-Packed Lineup; Gilmer Poorly Backed|newspaper=[[Washington Evening Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 10, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Although his tenure was still young, some of the Redskins' minority owners demanded Whelchel to be fired after a 49–14 rout by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] that dropped them to 2–3.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115411552/|title=Eagles Rout Redskins, 49-14; Patton Sets Mark|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[New York Daily News]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 24, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Marshall defended Whelchel as "I never fired a coach in the middle of the season."<ref name="Marshall Says He'll Retain Redskin Staff">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115411738/|title=Marshall Says He'll Retain Redskin Staff|agency=[[United Press|UP]]|newspaper=[[The Pittsburgh Press]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=October 25, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

Despite Marshall assuring his faith in Whelchel, the two clashed at times that included a quarrel after the owner attempted to have the offensive and defensive linemen switch positions; Marshall privately told Baugh, "I hired him for a disciplinarian. I didn't hire him for a goddamn coach."<ref>{{cite journal|last=Smith|first=Thomas G.|url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/43610150|title=Civil Rights on the Gridiron: The Kennedy Administration and the Desegregation of the Washington Redskins|journal=Journal of Sport History|volume=14|issue=2|pages=189–208|date=1987|jstor=43610150 }}</ref> Reports also claimed pressure from the job caused Whelchel's weight to drop 30 pounds since the season began and he rarely slept.<ref name="Ball Replaces Whelchel">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115410856/|title=Ball Replaces Whelchel At Redskin Helm|agency=[[United Press|UP]]|newspaper=[[Hartford Courant]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 8, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

After the Redskins tied the [[New York Bulldogs]], whom they easily defeated earlier in the year, Whelchel was informed he would be dismissed following the next game against Pittsburgh. Publicly, the team insisted the two parties agreed to end their contract by "mutual agreement", while Marshall called it a "peculiar situation, but there's nothing for me to quote."<ref name="Ball Replaces Whelchel" /> Team vice president [[C. Leo DeOrsey]], who wanted [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish football|Notre Dame]] coach [[Frank Leahy]], declared he "never was in favor of Whelchel's appointment in the first place."<ref name="Marshall Says He'll Retain Redskin Staff" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Stann|first=Francis|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115412373/|title=Win, Lose, or Draw|newspaper=[[Washington Evening Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 7, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

At halftime of his final game, Whelchel told his players:

<blockquote>Gentlemen, this is my last game as coach of the Redskins. You are a fine group of men and a good football team. I wish you all success in the world in your future games. Washington will be proud of you." After a pause, he added: "I'd like to win this last game."<ref>{{cite book|last=Maxymuk|first=John|title=NFL Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920–2011|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|year=2012|pages=338|isbn=978-0-7864-6557-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gw3_obTNh4QC&q=John+E.+Whelchel&pg=PA337|access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref></blockquote>

The Redskins beat the Steelers 27–14, and Whelchel was carried off the field by his players. Lewis F. Atchison of the ''[[Washington Evening Star]]'' wrote, "Carrying the admiral was no idle gesture, for he was one of the most popular coaches the Redskins have had since coming to Washington," while [[Associated Press]] writer Arthur Edson remarked, "What the fans didn't know was that the Redskins were carrying Whelchel off the field—and right out of the league."<ref>{{cite news|last=Atchison|first=Lewis F.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115412438/|title=Whelchel Quits As Head Coach Of Redskins|newspaper=[[Washington Evening Star]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 7, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Whelchel Out">{{cite news|last=Edson|first=Arthur|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/115412843/|title=Whelchel Out by 'Mutual Consent', Herman Ball in as 'Skins Coach|agency=[[Associated Press|AP]]|newspaper=[[Scranton Tribune]]|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=November 8, 1949|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>

Whelchel's record with the Redskins was 3–3–1. Asked about his firing, Whelchel simply called it "the whole story. There is nothing to add."<ref name="Whelchel Out" /> He was replaced by Ball, and the Redskins concluded the 1949 season with a record of 4–7–1.<ref>{{cite book|last=Elfin|first=David|title=Washington Redskines, The Complete illustrated history|publisher=[[Quarto Group]]|location=Minneapolis, Minnesota|year=2011|pages=45|isbn=978-0-7603-4072-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H_FVoefaiqUC&q=John+Whelchel|access-date=April 2, 2010}}</ref>

==Later life==
After his dismissal from Redskins, Whelchel worked in real estate and then in farming. Vice admiral John Esten Whelchel died on November 5, 1973, in [[Portsmouth, Virginia]] at the age of 75. He was buried together with both his wives Virginia D. Hoover Whelchel (1897–1941) and Marion Payne Whelchel (1900–1980) at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/Cgh3aGVsY2hlbBIEam9obg--/|website=ANC Explorer|accessdate=February 4, 2022|title=Whelchel, John E}}</ref> He also had a son from his first marriage with Virginia D. Hoover, John Esten Whelchel, Jr. (1935–2008).

==Wartime decorations==

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral John E. Whelchel:

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|other_device=v|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=China Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Phliber rib.svg|width=106}}
|} 
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="10"|[[Legion of Merit]] with [[5/16 inch star|Gold Star]] and [["V" Device]]
|-
!2nd Row
|colspan="3"|[[Bronze Star Medal]] 
|colspan="3"|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]] with Atlantic Fleet Clasp
|colspan="3"|[[China Service Medal]]
|-
!3rd Row
|colspan="3"|[[American Defense Service Medal]] with Base Clasp
|colspan="3"|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal]] with two service stars
|-
!4th Row
|colspan="3"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[Navy Occupation Service Medal]]
|colspan="3"|[[Philippine Liberation Medal]]
|-
|}

==Head coaching record==

===College===
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = AP }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name      = [[Navy Midshipmen football|Navy Midshipmen]]
 | conf      = Independent
 | startyear = 1942
 | endyear   = 1943
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | year         = [[1942 college football season|1942]]
 | name         = [[1942 Navy Midshipmen football team|Navy]]
 | overall      = 5–4
 | conference   =
 | ranking      = 
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
 | year         = [[1943 college football season|1943]]
 | name         = [[1943 Navy Midshipmen football team|Navy]]
 | overall      = 8–1
 | conference   = 
 | ranking      = 4
 | ranking2     = no
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Navy
 | overall    = 13–5
 | confrecord = 
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
 | overall  = 13–5
 | bowls    = no
 | poll     = one
 | polltype = Rankings from final [[AP Poll]]
 | legend   = no
}}

===NFL===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Team !!  rowspan="2"|Year !! colspan="5"|Regular season !! colspan="4"|Postseason
|-
!Won!!Lost!!Ties!!Win %!!Finish!! Won !! Lost !! Win % !! Result
|-
![[1949 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]||[[1949 NFL season|1949]]
||3||3||1||{{winpct|3|3|1}}||fired mid-season|| – || – || – || –
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}

{{Navy Midshipmen football coach navbox}}
{{Navy Midshipmen athletic director navbox}}
{{Washington Commanders head coaches}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whelchel, John}}
[[Category:1898 births]]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
[[Category:American football halfbacks]]
[[Category:American football guards]]
[[Category:American football quarterbacks]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen athletic directors]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen baseball players]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen football coaches]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen football players]]
[[Category:Navy Midshipmen men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins coaches]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Navy World War II admirals]]
[[Category:United States Navy admirals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:People from Hogansville, Georgia]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins head coaches]]