World War II Honoree

James Rayburn White

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Wheat Ridge, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Relationship

Friend

Rank: Seaman Second Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy June 4, 1941, at Denver, Colorado with Basic Military Training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. Upon his graduation from Boot Camp and along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS Honolulu II (CL-48) for duty. Monday, October 19, 1944, the Cruiser and her Shipmate’s, along with an Armada of U.S. Warships, rendezvous off the coastal shores of Leyte Island, Philippines Location: Western Pacific Theater of Operations. The Fleet of Warships participated in the Battle-of-Leyte Gulf, against the Imperial Japanese Naval Forces, the largest Naval Battle of World War II. The climactic American Naval Victory over Japan. Tuesday, October 20, 1944, an Imperial Japanese Torpedo Aircraft was sighted, and its torpedo struck the Honolulu on her port side. He was reported as “Missing-in-Action” or Buried at Sea gone without a trace and will “Remain on Eternal Patrol”. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory and Honor, a cenotaph memorial has been placed at the Arvada cemetery, located at Arvada, Colorado. This American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously for his Heroism, and ultimate sacrifice. He served his Country with Pride and Honor.