He was posted to Palestine on peacekeeping duties in 1938 and saw action there during the Arab Revolt. On 14 May 1938, he was slightly injured in a car accident during a night advance on Tamra. Despite this, he remained on the front line and led an advance during the early afternoon on the same day. When he received word that a private was missing, Whitty, alongside Captain Kelleher and Private Parkin, searched for the missing private under heavy enemy fire and eventually found him, returning him safely to cover. For these actions he was awarded the Military Cross in August 1938. He was promoted to the rank of captain in February 1939.