author
Don Whitehead
1908–1981
Best known as a fearless war correspondent, he brought readers close to some of the biggest events of World War II and the Korean War. He later turned that reporting experience into popular nonfiction books, including the bestselling The FBI Story.
1 Audiobook
Border guard : The story of the United States Customs Service
by Don Whitehead
About the author
Born in Inman, Virginia, in 1908 and raised in Kentucky, Don Whitehead became one of the standout American reporters of his era. He worked for the Associated Press and earned the nickname "Beachhead Don" for his vivid frontline coverage of Allied landings during World War II. His journalism brought him major honors, including two Pulitzer Prizes and the Medal of Freedom.
After years of reporting from the field, he also built a strong career as an author. His books included The FBI Story: A Report to the People, Journey Into Crime, Border Guard: The Story of the United States Customs Service, and The Dow Story. The FBI Story became especially well known when it was adapted for film.
Whitehead retired from the Associated Press in 1959 and later wrote a column for the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He died in Knoxville, Tennessee, on January 12, 1981, leaving behind a reputation for clear, hard-driving reporting and accessible nonfiction.