Honoring Our Vets

Recently I read a suggestion in a Twitter post from a fellow genealogist where he mentions that he will write an article everyday from 01 November through 11 November to honor his family's veterans. I am too late to do this challenge but will write on one of my family's military heroes who fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Sergeant Major Thomas Charles White, Retired.

Sgt Maj T.C. White
at his retirment, 1979

Tom retired from the United States Marine Corps, as Sergeant Major, after serving 23 years in the "Corps".  He was an enlisted man and worked his way up to the highest level that an enlisted man could.  He retired at Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC in 1979 and moved back home to Albany and began another long career working for Niagara Mohawk Power Company. Tom passed away on 22 May 2012 and is buried at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York. The following biography of Tom comes from his retirement booklet.

SgtMaj White was born July 30, 1936 in Albany, New York.  He enlisted in the
Marine Corps on August 9, 1953, and completed Recruit Training at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Upon completing Recruit Training he was assigned to 2d Anti-Tank Battalion, 2d
Marine Division and served in the Heavy Machine Gun Platoon.  After  completing two years and making a NATO and Med Cruise, he was assigned to Marine Barracks, Sangley Point.  After a year in the Philippine Islands, he was assigned to Marine Barracks, Sasebo, Japan for one year.

Returning to the United States in July, 1956, he served as a Squad Leader and
Platoon Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton,
California.  From 1958 to 1960 SgMaj White served in Hawaii as a Platoon
Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Brigade.  Departing Hawaii in
1960 at which time he served as Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant with "I"
Company, 3rd Battalion, 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division.

In 1964, SgtMaj White took his Squad from "I" Company, 3rd Battalion, 2d Marines to Quantico, Virginia to compete in the Marine-wide Squad Combat Competition where his squad won the title of the Best Infantry Squad in the Marine Corps. He was awarded a gold badge- the Tarawa Award for Leadership and meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Upon returning from Quantico he was assigned as Platoon Sergeant with 2d Recon Battalion, 2d Marine Division.

From late 1965 to 1966 SgtMaj White was assigned to Marine Barracks, Philadelphia to establish a body escort program and remained there until he was ordered to Vietnam. During 1967-1968 he was the Company Gunnery Sergeant of "G" Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam.

Returning from Vietnam he was ordered to Recruiter School and after successfully graduating, he served as Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Recruiting Station at Plattsburgh, New York. Being promoted to First Sergeant while on recruiting duty, he was ordered to Western Pacific (WesPac) in 1970. From 1970 to 1971 he served as Sergeant Major of Headquarters Battalion, marine Corps Base, Camp Butler, Okinawa. Departing Okinawa in 1971 he served as First Sergeant "B" Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines Brigade, Hawaii until he was promoted to his present rank in May 1974.

Returning to Camp Lejeune in 1974 he was assigned as Sergeant Major, 2d Field Artillery Group, Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic (FMFLant) until 1976. In 1976 he was assigned to
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM 164), 1st Marine Air Wing as Squadron Sergeant Major on Okinawa. Returning to Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune in 1977 he was assigned Sergeant Major, Rifle Range Detachment, until his current assignment as Camp Johnson Area Sergeant Major. MCSSS Schools Sergeant Major in 1977.
A complete list of decorations and awards includes:

• Meritorious Service Medal
• Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V"
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Presidential Unit Citation
• Good Conduct Medal with "7" Stars
• Navy Occupation Medal with European Clasp
• National Defense with Bronze Star
• Vietnamese Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars
• Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device
• Gold Annual Rifle Squad Competition Badge
• Rifle Expert Badge
• Pistol Expert Badge

Sergeant Major White and wife, the former Martha Ann Cunningham of Birmingham, Alabama have one daughter Debra Ann. They will be making their home in Albany, New York.