World War II Honoree

Henry V. White

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Charleston, South Carolina

Honored By

A Grateful Dutchman

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS 406TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, COMPANY G. 102ND OZARK DIVISION. KILLED IN ACTION IN GERMANY ON FEBRUARY 23, 1945 NEAR LINNICH AFTER THE RUHR RIVER CROSSING. HE WAS ACCOMPANYING HIS UNIT IN THE ATTACK WHEN HE OBSERVED THAT A GRENADE, ACCIDENTALLY DISLODGED, WAS ABOUT TO EXPLODE. HE IMMEDIATELY THREW HIMSELF ON TO THE GRENADE, CRADLING THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION WITH HIS BODY, THUS SAVING THE LIVES OF HIS COMRADES. HE WAS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS. PURPLE HEART. BURIED IN THE NETHERLANDS.