World War II Honoree

Charles M. White

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

South Connellsville, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Lorna V. Stewart

Relationship

Daughter

CREW CHIEF ENGINEER AND GUNNER ON B-24 LIBERATOR IN EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS, 8TH AIR FORCE, 2ND AIR DIVISION, 14TH COMBAT WING, 491ST BOMBER GROUP, 852ND SQUADRON BASED IN ENGLAND. ON FEBRUARY 26, 1945 THE PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN OVER GERMANY AND THE CREW BAILED OUT (BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE CATERPILLAR CLUB). LANDED IN POLAND AND MILITIAMEN TURNED THEM OVER TO RUSSIAN REGULARS WHO HELPED THEM. AFTER A FIVE DAY TOUR OF THE FRONT, THEY WERE PLACED WITH A COMPANY OF LIBERATED AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR AND SENT BY BOXCAR TO ODESSA. TRIP TOOK TEN DAYS. SURVIVED ON BLACK BREAD AND SAUERKRAUT SOUP. IN ODESSA, BOARDED A BRITISH SHIP AND SAILED TO NAPLES. AFTER 3 WEEKS, FLEW BACK TO BASE IN ENGLAND, 6 WEEKS AFTER LEAVING ON THE BOMBING MISSION. DURING THAT TIME, FAMILY BACK HOME HAD BEEN NOTIFIED THAT HE WAS MISSING IN ACTION. RETURNED TO THE U.S. IN JUNE OF 1945 AS WAS DISCHARGED. EARNED 2 AIR MEDALS, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER MEDAL WITH 3 BATTLE STARS, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND AIR MEDAL.