Melvin V. Whiteman was born on March 25, 1921 to William and Elsie Whitman who lived in Coatesville Pennsylvania.  Melvin was the second oldest of nine siblings. His father worked as a salesman for a bread company, and later as a mechanic for a sewing company.

Melvin entered service in the Army on December 8, 1942. He was assigned to the 394th Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry. The 394th arrived on November 6, 1944 in Le Havre, France. They engaged in a variety of campaigns, including the Battle of the Bulge as well as battles at the Ardennes Forest, Remagen Bridge, the Rhineland, and the Ruhr.

Sergeant Melvin V. Whitman was reported Missing In Action on December 18, 1944 in  Belgium.