AWARD OF SILVER STAR MEDAL
Major WILLIAM GAIL WHITE, 0-1284255
Infantry, 330th Infantry
United States Army
For distinguishing himself by gallantry in action on 7 July 1944, near Carentan, France. When his battalion was engaged in an attack upon the enemy, a well placed enemy machine gun nest threatened to hold up the advance. Whit utter disregard for his own safety and despite a bad shoulder wound, Major White armed himself with an automatic rifle, and crawled to the machine gun nest and wiped it out. The conspicuous daring and heroic devotion to duty of this officer reflect the highest credit upon himself and the finest traditions of the military service of the United States. Entered military service from Washington.
AWARD OF OAK LEAF CLUSTER TO THE SILVER STAR MEDAL
Major WILLIAM GAIL WHITE, 0-1284255
Infantry, 330th Infantry
United States Army
For distinguishing himself by gallantry in action against the enemy on December 10, 1944, near Strass, Germany. When his battalion was attacking the town of Strass, Germany, it was cut off from the rear by a strong force of enemy infantry reinforced with tanks and self propelled guns. Major White with his O.P. group of fifteen men from positions on the high ground overlooking the town, so successfully beat off repeated enemy attacks that his battalion was enabled to concentrate on its attack and accomplish its mission. Prior to his being wounded, Major White was personally credited with knocking out three enemy machine guns, killing ther entire crews, two Mark-IV tanks and two self propelled guns besides killing nineteen others and taking thirty-one prisoners. After being critically wounded by a burst of machine gun fire in the stomach, Major White continued to command and control his battalion by radio for seven hours before our own armor was able to break through to his position. The example set by this officer in his devotion to duty, complete disregard for his own personal safety and his conspicuous daring reflects the highest credit to himself and upholds the finest traditions of the military service of the United States. Entered military service from California.
