World War II Honoree

Elmer D. White

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Eddy County, New Mexico

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

RANK: SERGEANT. JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR FOR 30 MONTHS. HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE ARMY JANUARY 6, 1941. SERVED WITH FOX BATTERY, 200TH COASTAL ARTILLERY ANTIAIRCRAFT REGIMENT, THE HARBOR DEFENSE OF MANILA AND SUBIC BAYS, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT DURING THE DEFENSE OF LUZON AND RETREATING TO THE BATAAN PENINSULA, THE JAPANESE INVADING FORCES CAPTURED HIM APRIL 9, 1942 DURING THE INVASION OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. FORCED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH AND INCARCERATE AT THE PRISONER OF WAR CAMP #8 BACHRACH GARAGE, MANILA, LUZON, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. ON OCTOBER 11, 1944 HE BOARDED THE JAPANESE ‘HELL SHIP’, THE ARISAN MARU ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRISONERS DESTINED FOR JAPAN WHICH WAS TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY A U.S. NAVY SUBMARINE OCTOBER 24, 1944. HE WAS REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION OR BURIED AT SEA AND IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY, FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. DECORATIONS AND MEDALS: AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART. HIS REGIMENT WAS AWARDED A PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION WITH 3 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM IN ACTION AGAINST THE JAPANESE ARMED FORCES.