World War II Honoree

Seldon T. 'Billie' White

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Holdenville, Oklahoma

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Private First Class. Inducted into the United States Marine Corps January 10, 1940 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with recruit training assigned to the Eighth Recruit Battalion Training Regiment; Marine Corps Base San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton Oceanside, California for combat training. Following the completion of infantry training, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands and based at Fort Mills Location: Corregidor Island AKA: the Rock. Served as a Rifleman assigned to the Fourth Marine Regiment. His unit participated in the Battle of Corregidor against the Imperial Japanese forces (Battle Dates: May 5-6, 1942). Captured on the second day of the invasion, when his Commander General Wainwright capitulated to the enemy. As a prisoner, he was transferred to the Puerto Princesa Prisoner of War Camp on Palawan Island. Reported missing in action or buried at sea July 7, 1943. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippine Islands. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his ultimate sacrifice in defense of his country.