Hunter Chase Whitley was born on October 26, 1999 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After graduating high school in 2018, he joined the United States Marine Corps, fulfilling his lifelong dream of serving his country. After graduating boot camp at Parris Island and infantry training at Camp Geiger, he was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, where he later was assigned to Charlie Co, 1st Plt.
In February 2021, he and his company deployed with the 24th MEU, where they trained in England, Scotland, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Towards the end of their deployment, he and his company received word that they would be deploying to Kabul, Afghanistan to assist with the US withdrawal. While there, Hunter impacted thousands of lives of Afghani civilians who were given a chance to escape to freedom safely.
After returning from deployment, Hunter was honorably discharged from the military in July 2022 and returned to Tuscaloosa to study Computer Science and Psychology at the University of Alabama. Despite making friends easily, as he always had, and thriving in school, Hunter was struggling on the inside with what he saw in Afghanistan during the withdrawal. On November 13, 2022, Hunter passed away after battling with his mental health, devastating everyone who loved him.
Hunter is remembered as someone who made everyone feel included and loved. He loved music, art, fashion, and his signature tattoos. His legacy will live on forever through his friends, family, and the lives the Butterfly Initiative will impact.
