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137th Infantry Regiment

Capt Paul H White

Captain Paul J White

137th Infantry Regiment - Company B

Paul Hammond White, son of Samuel Lee and Bertha E (Hammond) White, was born November 30, 1909 in Salem, West Virginia. He married Pauline "Polly" Ward but the couple later divorced. They had one child, a daughter, Sandra Lee White. He registered for the draft October 16, 1940. At that time he was employed by Clarksburg Drug Company. He enlisted in the Army on April 19, 1941 at Clarksburg, West Virginia.

Paul H White served in Company B, 137th Infantry Regiment. He was wounded in action July 17, 1944 during the battle for St Lo, France and returned to duty November 6, 1944. He was promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain on January 1, 1945. Captain Paul H White was seriously wounded in the vicinity of Hompre, about 5 miles south of Bastogne, Belgium on January 15 and died of his wounds 2 days later January 17, 1945. He is buried at Luxembourg American Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg.

Silver Star Medal
Silver Star Medal Citation
First Lieutenant Paul H White, O1287631, Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the St Lo sector, Normandy, France, on 17 July 1944. When his platoon became pinned down by machine gun and artillery fire, Lieutenant White dangerously exposed himself in order to obtain a tank destroyer, and to direct its fire to clear out the enemy. Continuing with the advance, he saw one of his sergeants in an open field become seriously wounded from another machine gun. Without hesitation, and disregarding the enemy fire, he raced to the aid of the wounded man and succeeded in bringing him to the safety of a slit trench before being himself wounded. His outstanding leadership, gallant efforts, and devotion to duty won the respect and admiration of his men and is in keeping with the highest military traditions. Entered military service from West Virginia.
General Orders No 25, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 25 August 1944
Silver Star Medal
Silver Star Medal Oak Leaf Cluster Citation (posthumous)
Captain Paul H White, O1287631 (then First Lieutenant), Infantry, United States Army, for gallantry in action in the vicinity of Habkirchen, Germany on 20 and 21 December 1944. Captain White, Commanding Company B, 137th Infantry, established his troops in defensive positions on the northern edge of the Breiterwald Forest. The Germans launched a counterattack from positions on a hill some 450 yards to the north. Captain White made his way to his outposts and directed automatic weapons fire upon a portion of the hill being used by the enemy as a line of departure. So skillfully did he direct the fire and movement of his troops that the Germans were forced to halt and reorganize. Captain White seized the opportunity to go to the rear in search of armored support. He located a tank and led it through the woods to the point of the enemy thrust, then coordinated the direct fire of the tank with that of his troops, causing heavy casualties among the enemy force and precipitating a withdrawal of the remaining Germans to their original position. The American position was then subjected to an enemy artillery barrage lasting over two hours and followed by a tank-supported infantry attack. Captain White sent an officer for armored support, then moved among his men, inspiring them to their best efforts by his personal bravery. While awaiting the arrival of friendly armor, he directed artillery fire upon the advancing enemy from a position exposed to enemy observation and fire. Upon receiving notification that two friendly tanks were in positions previously designated by him, Captain White ordered a limited withdrawal. The German attackers, approximately two companies of SS troops, ventured forward into the pocket created by the organized withdrawal, and were annihilated by the combined fire of Captain White's men and the two supporting tanks. The enemy attempted several more counterattacks the following day, but each attempt was stopped in its initial stages. Captain White's intrepidity, outstanding leadership and extreme coolness in the face of heavy odds reflects high credit upon his character as an officer and leader of men. Entered military service from West Virginia.
General Orders No 11, Headquarters 35th Infantry Division, 12 February 1945

 

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