Douglas Lincoln White

Military
media-34340.jpeg UPL 34340 Douglas L. White, Ed.D., circa 1990 Douglas L. White

Associated person record

Object Number - UPL 34340 - Douglas L. White, Ed.D., circa 1990

Doug was one of nine men in the Control Net System (CNS) group of the Communications section of the 508th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, United States Army Air Corps. He operated and maintained an SCR-584 Radar Van at RAF Winkton and across France and Belgium, then into Germany.  

Doug's radar van was to have crossed the Channel from Winkton Aerodrome on D-Day, June 6, but they were delayed with upgrading equipment and finally landed on July 6, D+30.

The 9 guys of CNS were detached from the 404th group and to Sec. 1, Co. A, 555 Signal Air Warning Battalion - "The Triple Nickel" -  from 14 Jul 1944 to 27 Oct 1944 and then re-attached to the 404th.

For three days before Christmas 1944 he successfully defended a forward position near Eupen, Belgium at The Battle of the Bulge. Within 24 hours of being pulled back, a Panzer division rolled over that position. He was Expert with the M-1 Carbine and the Sub-Machine Gun and a Marksman with a 45-caliber pistol. Among others, he was decorated with one silver and one bronze battle stars, the Belgian Fourragère and, along with the entire 404th FB Group, received two Presidential Unit Citations.



After his active duty, he joined the Navy Reserve as a reconnaissance photographer. After about five years, he transferred to Army Reserve serving with the 309th Civil Affairs Unit headquartered in Inkster, Michigan. Altogether, he served about 30 years in the Reserves, the last couple with the 300th Military Police Command after the 309th HQ was moved to Homewood, Illinois. He retired with the rank of Major.

He matriculated Wayne State University in Detroit in 1948, majoring in Education. He met his wife of 64 years there. He taught public school (3rd grade) for about ten years while completing work on Masters' and Doctorate degrees, also in Education. He joined the Faculty of Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, Michigan about 1964 and taught in the Social Sciences Division for the next 30 years, mostly Sociology. He was an early organizing member of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1650.

Photography was a lifelong hobby. A skilled dance partner, he enjoyed ballroom dancing. He had a great sense of humor and also enjoyed traveling to visit both new and familiar places. He was endlessly devoted to his loving family.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 555th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion 404th Fighter Group 508th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 507th Fighter Squadron 404th Fighter Group 555th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Control Net Systems

Places

The Winter Gardens cinema in Liverpool, taken by Charles E Jackson of the 467th Bomb Group. Image by Charles E Jackson. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Liverpool, Eng.'
  • Site type: Military site
  • Known as: Kirby House; Silcocks Warehouse

Revisions

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"Leap Off" the official history of the 404th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force.

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Personal interviews with and experience of his son, Greg.

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Gregory White, source.

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I believe this fill-in square is to list sources for any information or changes to the above. I am the source and take responsibility for all edits made above. Thank you.

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family of Douglas L. White.
Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, AGO Form 53-55.

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family of Douglas L. White.

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Family of Douglas L. White.

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Family of Douglas L. White.

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Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, AGO Form 53-55

Douglas Lincoln White: Gallery (2 items)