Name: Earl Clarence WHITE
Rank / Rating: TC1-Turret Captain First Class
Service #: 360 27 20
DOB: Jul 15, 1922
From: Riverside, Texas
Parents:
Went Aboard: January 1, 1941
Age When Ship Went Down: 23 years, 0 months, 15 days
Spouse: Virginia (Pate) White
Children: Sandra White Belote
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Turret Captain First Class White was born July 15, 1922, in Riverside, Texas. He enlisted in the Navy in November 1940 (one year prior to President Franklin Roosevelt’s December 7, 1941, Declaration of War on Japan).

He reported aboard USS Indianapolis on January 1, 1941, at age 18. While assigned to Indianapolis, George participated in the battles of Bougainville, Salamaua, Aleutian Islands, Tarawa Atoll, Kwajalein Atoll, Eniwetok Atoll of the Marshall Islands, raids and air strikes on Palau Islands, Yap Island, Caroline Islands and Woleai Islands; participated in bombardment and support of the Paulau Islands; air strikes on Tokyo; assault bombardment and occupation of Iwo Jima; Ryukyu Island Operations; and served honorably in USS Indianapolis in the Okinawa Gunto Operation. George is one of only a possible few to have served on board USS Indianapolis for almost all of the ship’s complete WWII service from December 1, 1941 (Pearl Harbor Day) through July 30, 1945. From his first time aboard on January 1, 1941, until his death on July 30, 1945, George served over four and one-half years on board Indianapolis Being a Turret Captain, George’s skillset was obviously used extensively throughout ALL of Indianapolis’ battles throughout WWII. A very honorable record for a man who perished as a lost at sea sailor at the young age of 23. George was survived by his widow, Virginia White Pate and daughter, Sandra White Belote.