World War II Honoree

Eugene White

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Sailor Springs, Illinois

Honored By

Robert Medley Gatewood

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS A DRAFTEE ON NOVEMBER 19, 1942 AT CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. SELECTED FOR THE CAVALRY, COMPLETED BASIC TRAINING, AND QUALIFIED IN THE MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY OF LIGHT MORTAR CREWMAN (607). ASSIGNED TO AND SERVED WITH THE NEWLY ACTIVATED 81ST CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE TROOP, 81ST ‘WILDCAT’ INFANTRY DIVISION. DEPARTED THE CONTINENTAL U.S. ON JULY 3, 1944 WITH HIS UNIT, BOUND FOR THE PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. FOUGHT IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES CAMPAIGNS. EARNED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH TWO BRONZE BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH ONE BRONZE BATTLE STAR. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A TECHNICIAN FIFTH GRADE ON JANUARY 18, 1946 AT THE SEPARATION CENTER, JEFFERSON BARRACKS, MISSOURI.