"If I'd been caught, I'd probably been killed." (Audio Interview, 24:18)

William Orville White

William White:, Monmouth, NJ, 1941 War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Unit: Airwarning Company, Signal Corps Service Location: Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Philippines; Kyushu, Japan Rank: Corporal POW: Yes Place of Birth: Kingsburg, IN

William White worked for the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the Great Depression for one and a half years. When he was drafted, he decided to enlist in the Air Corps. Given the choice between duty in the Philippines or Alaska, White chose the Philippines, where he was assigned radar duties in Manila. American and Filipino forces suffered a devastating attack from the Japanese on the same day as Pearl Harbor and White would be taken prisoner when the American forces surrendered. On the Bataan Death March for 3 days, he marched 60 miles through dense forest, watching as his fellow soldiers fell out of rank or off to the side of the road and often were stabbed with the end of a bayonet. White did what he had to do to survive, stealing food and hiding it from his captors.