Honoring Our Heroes

STAFF SERGEANT GEORGE WHITE JR.

Staff Sergeant (SSgt) George White Jr. served 20 years in the United States Marine Corps His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Warehouse Clerk for four years and General Wearhouse Stock Clerk for 16 years. His decorations, citations awards and medals included: Rifle Marksman Badge, Pistol Marksman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with four stars, Meritorious Masts (three), Letters of Appreciation, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (two) and Certificates of Commendation.

SSgt White was born October, 1952 in Letohatchee, AL, to his parents, W.C. White and Ida Lou White. He attended Dunbar High School at Ramer, AL, but in the 10th grade, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. While serving in the military, he earned a GED for completion of his high school education. He also used the G.I. Bill and studied history at a university while stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, CA.

SSgt White began his Marine service January 3, 1973. He completed three months of Boot Camp training at the Marine Corps Recruitment Depot at Parris Island, SC. He then completed training at the Marine Ground Supply School at Camp LeJeune for three months. His first assignment was deployment to Okinawa for 13 months where he began his work in supply. He then served at the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro, CA, for three years. When his first four years of Marine Corps service were finished, he reenlisted. SSgt White served at a series of Marine bases including: 1. Marine Corps Air Station, Beauford, S.C., for two years, 2. Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, for 13 months, 3. Marine Corps Air Station, Beauford, S.C. for two years, 4. Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, CA, for three years and Marine Corps Air Station, Kanohe, HI, for seven years with three of those years with the ground crew.

SSgt White suffered serious injuries while being involved in physical training. He was hospitalized at a Navy hospital in Hawaii for six months, and then he was sent to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton where it was necessary for him to retire from military service. He was first put on temporary retirement and then permanent retirement with full disability. He was honorably discharged July 27, 1989.

SSgt White's conclusions about his service with the U.S. Marine Corps are: "Serving in the Marines meant the world to me. I would not have it any other way. I am so proud of the Marine Corps. No matter how I came out, I still respect anyone who wears the uniform of the U.S. Marine Corps. He would like to be remembered as being an excellent husband, father, grandfather and an outstanding Marine."

SSgt and his wife, Jeanetta, have been married 27 years. He has two children, one grandchild, three stepchildren and 10 stepgrandchildren, He is an active member of the Townsend Detachment #920 of the U.S. Marine Corps League in Montgomery, AL, and he is a member of the Big Zion AME Zion Church in Letohatchee, AL. He enjoys watching televised sports programs and visiting with other Marines.