Tribute to My Dad,

Joseph P. White

(1923-1998)


My dad *never* talked about WWII. Family, friends and I have always respected the privacy of he and his colleagues. Since we lost him to a stroke in February 1998, we have been learning more about this facet of his life. We have great respect for our veterans and dedicate this site to all the Liberators. We won't forget you!

This page is written in story format with links to various information. If you click on *every* link, it would take many hours to read and view all the features. I have some ideas for making navigating this page easier, but I'll need time. Until then, I suggest you scroll through the *story* to get a feel for the page layout. Note the photo gallery in thumbnails at the bottom of the page. Then, read the story and return to this page for more scans and updates from the White family. -vjw-
 

The following links provide continuations to this page:

http://vjwhite.com/JPWhite/index_new.php
http://vjwhite.com/JPWhite/bookmarksWW2.php
http://57thbombwing.com

My dad was a B-25 Radio Operator/ Waist Gunner in the 57th Bomb Wing of the 12th Army Air Force in World War II. He flew 67 missions out of Corsica with the 381st Bombardment Squadron of the 310th Bombardment Group in 1944.

George Underwood was a B-25 Top Turret Gunner in my dad's squadron. Turns out, they've flown on several missions together. Click here for a brief and interesting description of G.U.'s WWII adventures

G.U.'s WWII Bio


 Here are more links relating to the 57th Bomb Wing's Airmen:

How do you fly a B-25? The way the USAAF *tells* you, of course. (Watching them start the engines with fire extinguishers standing by, I thought of the risks these boys & men were taking, even before they left the ground)!  

(requires Real Audio Player)


Dad's Crews 12th AAF, 57th BW, 310th BG,
381st Squadron, a/c B-25J 43-27561
 - Corsica 1944 -

B-25 Over Sky
Photo above: Po Valley, Italy 1944


 310th BG, 381st Sqdn "F" Flight
#561 (43-27561)
 310th BG, 381st Sqdn #8 in Formation
#561 (43-27561)
 May 1944  June 1944
 P Elmer, R.F., 2nd Lt
CP Moyer, E.L., 2nd Lt
B Kremer T.F., 2nd Lt
R White, J.P. S/Sgt
G Scoiley, F.H. Sgt
TG Slentz, L.J Sgt
 P Taylor, L.A. (Lee) 2nd Lt
CP Moyer, E.L. 2nd Lt
B Kremer, T.F. 2nd Lt
R White, J.P. T/Sgt
G Woodley, F.H. (Fred) Sgt
TG Slentz, L.J Sgt

P=Pilot, CP=CoPilot, B=Bombardier, R=Radio Op/Waist Gunner,
G=Top Turret Gunner, TG=Tail Gunner

 Source: May-44 - 310th BG Combat Roster
Courtesy of George Underwood 
 Source: 22-Jun-44 Mission Roster
Courtesy of Dominique Taddei 


 

My dad's brothers James (Wizza), Vincent (Vinnie), Edward (Ebbie) and Francis (Hustle) also served during WWII. I'm told there were four blue stars and one gold star hanging in the front window at East 47th Street. Click the following link to a newspaper article describing four of five White brothers:

4 Brothers

    


Francis (not shown), also a WWII vet, enlisted before the end of the war.

  • My dad's older brother, Vincent A. White, served in the 322nd Squadron of the 8th Air Force's 91st Bomb Group. He and his entire B-17 crew were shot down during a raid on Anklam, Germany on October 9, 1943, the Saturday before what became known as Black Thursday. Here's a link, provided by Dick Cavanaugh (nephew of navigator Walter Cavanaugh), describing my uncle Vinnie's crew:

  • Chief Sly III

    Click here to read Charles Hudson's first hand account of the 1943 Anklam mission. Scroll down to Mission #4

    Source: http://www.91stbombgroup.com

  • Vinnie was a community leader and exemplary citizen:

  • There's a tribute to him in stained glass at St Vincent de Paul Church on 47th Street in Bayonne:

    Here's a link to the 8th Air Force Museum, located near Savannah, Georgia:

    B-17 Web Site Links:

    The Fort

    Here are some B-17 pics from my friend, Terry, whose dad was in the Mighty 8th:

    Here's an interview with my Uncle Ebbie by his niece, my cousin, Mary Jane. Thanks MJ!

    Scans from the scrapbook kept by my grandfather, Simon F. White (a.k.a. Gramps & Pop Si). Thanks, Gramps!!


    Dad's Army Air Corps Combat Record:

    Here's a Bayonne Times newspaper article about my dad when he was 21 years old:

    Here's a scan of my dad's Air Medal Citation. He was also awarded one silver and one oak leaf cluster. Although he may have received these medals, our family has never seen them. Update: Mom sent away for and received most of Dad's medals and citations in the winter of 2004.

    Photos from Corsica (These pics have no labels, some may have been taken in Rome, others in the USA). Most of the thumb-nails below are derived from the scans in the right column of the following table - circa 1943 or 1944:





    Not-yet-thumbnailed Files
    Full Sheets

    Sugar Ray Robinson's autograph et al 

    Air Man Home!

    JPW's Combat Record 1 of 2

    JPW's Combat Record Sheet 2 of 2

    JPW's Air Medal Citation





    B-25 Sky (closer view)





     



    WWII Scrapbook



    by Simon F. White + Photographers Unkown


     


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    What's New?

    The following links provide continuations to this page:

     http://vjwhite.com/index_new.php

     vjw's World War II Bookmarks

    http://57thbombwing.com



    On the interweb since March-2001

    GREETINGS FROM BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY!

    last updated 31-Dec-2016 [2006 before that]

    All images on these pages are derived from photographs owned and scanned by VJ White. Do not upload them to other Internet sites or use them in any other way, other than personal, without the WRITTEN consent of VJ White. Also, please note and respect the owners' wishes on all images and text found via web links contained on this page.

    - VJ White -
     

    And what is good, Phaedrus, And what is not good
    --- Need we ask anyone to tell us these things?
    - Robert Pirsig


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