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 and to law school after the war. 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. Education and career Unthank was born on June 14, 1923 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. 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. 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.