Wilbert White
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Wilbert Wallace White, Jr. was a World War I flying ace
credited with eight aerial victories. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor
for his heroic self-sacrifice.
in 1907 and the University of Wooster in 1912, and was married with two children when he volunteered for military service.
s on 24 July 1918. On 14 September, he shot down a German observation balloon and another Fokker D.VII. On 27 September, he got two more victories, sharing one with two other pilots. On 10 October, he shot down a Hannover CL in conjunction with Kenneth Porter
and another pilot shortly past noon.
Three hours later, he took off again. He had already become the 147th Aero Squadron's leading ace and had orders to return to the United States when he flew this last sortie. When he saw German ace Wilhelm Kohlbach's Fokker D.VII
on the tail of an unexperienced pilot, White intervened. When his guns jammed so he couldn't fire at Kohlbach, he rammed the German instead, to score his eighth and Kohlbach's fifth victory. While White fell to his death, Kohlbach took to a parachute in one of the fight figher pilot bailouts in history. White was posthumously recommended for the Medal of Honor
, but was instead awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his DSC.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with eight aerial victories. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his heroic self-sacrifice.
Early life
The son of a Protestant minister had graduated from Mercersburg AcademyMercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school for grades 9-12 located in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school's mission is:...
in 1907 and the University of Wooster in 1912, and was married with two children when he volunteered for military service.
Aerial service
White enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service in July 1917. He trained in Canada. He reported to the 147th Aero Squadron in February 1918. He scored a double victory to begin, shooting down two Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
s on 24 July 1918. On 14 September, he shot down a German observation balloon and another Fokker D.VII. On 27 September, he got two more victories, sharing one with two other pilots. On 10 October, he shot down a Hannover CL in conjunction with Kenneth Porter
Kenneth Porter (aviator)
Lieutenant Kenneth Lee Porter was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.-World War I service:Porter was an engineering graduate from Michigan University who joined the U.S. Army Air Service in August 1917. He reported to the 147th Aero Squadron in February 1918...
and another pilot shortly past noon.
Three hours later, he took off again. He had already become the 147th Aero Squadron's leading ace and had orders to return to the United States when he flew this last sortie. When he saw German ace Wilhelm Kohlbach's Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VII
The Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
on the tail of an unexperienced pilot, White intervened. When his guns jammed so he couldn't fire at Kohlbach, he rammed the German instead, to score his eighth and Kohlbach's fifth victory. While White fell to his death, Kohlbach took to a parachute in one of the fight figher pilot bailouts in history. White was posthumously recommended for the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, but was instead awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his DSC.