Bernard Owen White

Bernard Owen White, 92, husband of Margaret Bryant White, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2011 at MeadowView Terrace. Mr. White was born May 29, 1918 in Pueblo, Colorado to the late George Joseph and Ida Gift White. He was a graduate of Central High School and served his country during World War II as a US Army Sergeant from July 31, 1944 until February 23, 1946. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, Southern Philippines, Luzon as a Photo lithographer and Rifleman. Mr. White took basic training at Fort Walters, Mineral Springs, TX. He shipped to the Pacific on a troop ship out of San Francisco. He was stationed at Leyette, PI. While in the Philippines, Sgt. White was instrumental in printing the leaflets that were dropped on the Japanese troops in an effort to get them to surrender. He was sent to Japan when the War ended, then was given a squad of six men and sent to the Governor's Palace in Seoul, South Korea before most of knew where Korea was!. Sgt. White's squad was charged with keeping rioters away from the Palace, using force if necessary with machine guns. It was extremely cold while they were there. Sgt. White's father died while White was serving in Korea, so he was shipped home via Hawaii, and flown home from there. Sgt. White was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After his military career and retirement as a Lithographer, Mr. White volunteered as a Scout Master with the BSA, the Babe Ruth and Little League Baseball while in Springfield. He was an avid golfer. A funeral mass will be said 11 AM Saturday, April 30, 2011 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to his wife of 68 years, Mr. White is survived by his daughter, Janis M. White of Woodbridge, and sons and daughters-in-law, George B. and Jolene White of Charlotte, NC and James B. and Sandra White of Manassas. His five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren also survive. The family will receive friends 7-9PM Friday at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wclfh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the Clarksville Enrichment Center, 1567 Noblin Farm Road, Clarksville, VA. 23927.