George A. White
Encyclopedia
Major General
George A. White (July 18, 1880 – November 23, 1941) was an American
author, journalist and Major General
in the first half of the 20th century. He was one of the founders of the American Legion
and commanded the 41st Infantry Division in World War II
until his death in 1941.
.
On August 1, 1895 White enlisted in the Utah National Guard
as a musician. He was discharged in June 1898 in order to enlist in the Utah Artillery for the Spanish-American War
. He remained in Federal service until he was discharged in December 1898.
White re-enlisted in the Utah national Guard in 1899 was promoted to sergeant and later First Sergeant
before being discharged in 1903. He moved to Oregon
, where he enlisted in the 3rd Infantry, Oregon National Guard on August 4, 1907. The next day he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain on March 21, 1911.
of Oregon on February 1, 1915. When the Oregon National Guard was Federalized for the Mexican Expedition
, White obtained a leave of absence in order to command a troop
of Oregon cavalry
. After service on the Mexican border from June 1916 to February 1917, he resumed his post in Oregon.
On March 23, 1917, the Oregon National Guard was mobilized. As Adjutant General, White was involved in recruiting efforts to bring National Guard units up to strength, and he directed the establishment of state machinery for conscription
.
White re-entered Federal service on September 10, 1917 with the rank of major
and was given the post of Assistant Adjutant General of the 41st Division, a new division being organized from National Guard units from Oregon, Washington, Idaho
, Montana
and Wyoming
.
He served overseas on the Western Front
from January 1918 to June 1919. Initially he was with the 41st Division but it was designated as a replacement division and he was posted to General Headquarters American Expeditionary Force
. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
on November 13, 1918. For his services, he was awarded the Ordre de l’Etoile noire.
. He subsequently became its first national vice commander. He founded the American Legion magazine and was its first editor. For his services to the American Legion, and for promoting the friendship between the United States and France
, he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur
on July 9, 1934.
White was separated from Federal service on July 23, 1919 resumed his duties as Adjutant General of Oregon on April 15, 1920. His first task was the reconstruction of the Oregon national Guard, in which he was promoted to Colonel
on June 23, 1920. On July 23, 1923, he assumed command of the 82nd Infantry Brigade, a brigade composed of Oregon troops, and was promoted to brigadier general
.
White attended the Command and General Staff College
, Fort Leavenworth
from 1925 to 1926 and took part in training seminars organized by the U.S. Army War College
in 1928. On January 3, 1930 he was promoted to Major General and appointed to command the 41st Division.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
's signing of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940
, the 41st Division was inducted into Federal service for one year. Selective service men began to arrive in February 1941.
In May 1941, 41st Division moved to the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation
where June war games pitted it against Major General Joseph Stilwell
's 7th Division and the 40th Division. Large scale maneuvers continued in August on the Olympic Peninsula
.
General White became ill during the maneuvers at Hunter Liggett. He died at his home in Clackamas, Oregon
on November 23, 1941. His legacy included one of the National Guard's best-trained divisions. In his honor, Camp White
was named after him in 1942.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
George A. White (July 18, 1880 – November 23, 1941) was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author, journalist and Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in the first half of the 20th century. He was one of the founders of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
and commanded the 41st Infantry Division in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
until his death in 1941.
Early life and education
George Ared White was born on July 18, 1880 in Long Branch Township, Saline County, IllinoisLong Branch Township, Saline County, Illinois
Long Branch Township is located in Saline County, Illinois. The population was 189 at the 2000 census.- External links :***...
.
On August 1, 1895 White enlisted in the Utah National Guard
Utah National Guard
The Utah National Guard consists of the:* Utah Army National Guard**19th Special Forces Group **85th WMD CST**97th Troop Command**115th Engineer Group **211th Aviation Group**300th MI Brigade **640th Regiment...
as a musician. He was discharged in June 1898 in order to enlist in the Utah Artillery for the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He remained in Federal service until he was discharged in December 1898.
White re-enlisted in the Utah national Guard in 1899 was promoted to sergeant and later First Sergeant
First Sergeant
First sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
before being discharged in 1903. He moved to Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, where he enlisted in the 3rd Infantry, Oregon National Guard on August 4, 1907. The next day he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain on March 21, 1911.
World War I
White was appointed Adjutant GeneralAdjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
of Oregon on February 1, 1915. When the Oregon National Guard was Federalized for the Mexican Expedition
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—officially known in the United States as the Mexican Expedition and sometimes colloquially referred to as the Punitive Expedition—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican insurgent Francisco "Pancho" Villa...
, White obtained a leave of absence in order to command a troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
of Oregon cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
. After service on the Mexican border from June 1916 to February 1917, he resumed his post in Oregon.
On March 23, 1917, the Oregon National Guard was mobilized. As Adjutant General, White was involved in recruiting efforts to bring National Guard units up to strength, and he directed the establishment of state machinery for conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
.
White re-entered Federal service on September 10, 1917 with the rank of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
and was given the post of Assistant Adjutant General of the 41st Division, a new division being organized from National Guard units from Oregon, Washington, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
.
He served overseas on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
from January 1918 to June 1919. Initially he was with the 41st Division but it was designated as a replacement division and he was posted to General Headquarters American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
on November 13, 1918. For his services, he was awarded the Ordre de l’Etoile noire.
Interwar years
White was one of twenty officers at the Allied Officers' Club, Rue Faubourg St. Honore, on February 16, 1919 who were credited with the founding of the American LegionAmerican Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
. He subsequently became its first national vice commander. He founded the American Legion magazine and was its first editor. For his services to the American Legion, and for promoting the friendship between the United States and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
on July 9, 1934.
White was separated from Federal service on July 23, 1919 resumed his duties as Adjutant General of Oregon on April 15, 1920. His first task was the reconstruction of the Oregon national Guard, in which he was promoted to Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
on June 23, 1920. On July 23, 1923, he assumed command of the 82nd Infantry Brigade, a brigade composed of Oregon troops, and was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
.
White attended the Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
, Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
from 1925 to 1926 and took part in training seminars organized by the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
in 1928. On January 3, 1930 he was promoted to Major General and appointed to command the 41st Division.
World War II
The 41st Division's annual summer camp at Fort Lewis in June and July 1940 was extended from two weeks to three, and on September 16, 1940 with PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
's signing of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940
Selective Training and Service Act of 1940
The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, also known as the Burke-Wadsworth Act, was passed by the Congress of the United States on September 17, 1940, becoming the first peacetime conscription in United States history when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law two days later...
, the 41st Division was inducted into Federal service for one year. Selective service men began to arrive in February 1941.
In May 1941, 41st Division moved to the Hunter Liggett Military Reservation
Fort Hunter Liggett
Fort Hunter Liggett , named after General Hunter Liggett in 1941, is a United States Army fort in southern Monterey County, California, about 250 miles north of Los Angeles and south of San Francisco...
where June war games pitted it against Major General Joseph Stilwell
Joseph Stilwell
General Joseph Warren Stilwell was a United States Army four-star General known for service in the China Burma India Theater. His caustic personality was reflected in the nickname "Vinegar Joe"...
's 7th Division and the 40th Division. Large scale maneuvers continued in August on the Olympic Peninsula
Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is the large arm of land in western Washington state of the USA, that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the east by Puget Sound. Cape Alava, the westernmost point in the contiguous...
.
General White became ill during the maneuvers at Hunter Liggett. He died at his home in Clackamas, Oregon
Clackamas, Oregon
Clackamas was a census-designated place in Clackamas County, Oregon, United States. The population was 5,177 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.It is the location of Camp Withycombe, a military base...
on November 23, 1941. His legacy included one of the National Guard's best-trained divisions. In his honor, Camp White
Camp White
Camp White was an Army training base in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, during World War II. It was also the site of a prisoner-of-war camp. The camp was named in honor of George A. White, who served as adjutant general for Oregon starting in 1915. The camp was dedicated September 15, 1942...
was named after him in 1942.