Green Wix Unthank

Federal judicial service

On December 19, 1979, Unthank was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, created by . He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 18, 1980, and received his commission the same day.

President Ronald Reagan involuntarily certified Unthank as disabled on November 30, 1987, pursuant to 71 Stat. 586 which entitled the President to appoint an additional judge for the court and provided that no successor to the judge certified as disabled be appointed. Karl Spillman Forester was appointed to the additional judgeship. Pursuant to the certification, Unthank assumed senior status on June 14, 1988, but continued to maintain a substantial caseload. He was survived by his wife, Marilyn Ward Unthank.

Honors and legacy

On August 14, 2017, the Green Wix Unthank Memorial Bridge was dedicated in his honor. It crosses the Clover Fork River in Harlan County, Kentucky.