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Clyde T. Whitehead was an insurance salesman.

He joined the Air Corps of the U.S. Army Reserve enlisted on 2 July 1942 in Charleston, Virginia.

On 13 May 1945 a formation of two B-26s flew on a low-level formation navigation flight. The pilot of the lead airplane, 1st Lt Doming Jr., stated that he had advised 2nd Lt Whitehead, pilot of the ill-fated plane, not to attempt to fly formation due to the turbulence that day. Lt Whitehead dropped back and to the right but kept his sight of the lead plane. As they flew along, the waist gunner of Lt Doming's aircraft stated to him over the interphone that he could see Lt Whitehead buzzing villages and surrounding terrain. During the process of buzzing, Lt Whitehead's right wing of the aircraft struck a tree, causing the airplane to swing to the right. His altitude at this time was so low, he was unable to right the plane and the right wing struck the ground at a great speed, causing the crash. Parts of the plane were strewn over a great forward distance, carrying all the crew members to their death.