Melvin Eugene White was born February 8, 1921 to Robert A and Alice Christopherson White. He was born in Crawfordsville, Linn, Oregon. By the time he began school, the family had moved to College Place, Walla Walla, Washington where Robert was working towards his degree at Walla Walla College. Melvin attended public school in College Place.
Upon Robert White's graduation from college, the family moved to Bozeman, Montana where Robert taught Math and Science at Mt Ellis Academy. Melvin attended Mt Ellis Academy, graduating in 1939. Melvin next enrolled at Walla Walla College.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Melvin felt compelled to enlist in the US Army as a Conscientious Objector, dropping out of college. He became a member of the medical corp serving as Technician Grade 5 (T/5) aboard the USAHS Ernest Hinds. The ship served the area between the U.S. East Coast and the Mediterranean Sea during 1943 and 1944, serving as a mobile hopital/ambulance.
Melvin wrote of serving off the coast of Cyprus where he treated many wounded German soldiers. At the time he did not understand why they were fighting the Germans, not knowing the extent of what was going on in Europe with Hitler. He had studied German in high school in Bozeman where there were many German immigrants. He appreciated being able to speak with the prisoners he treated.
In a letter, Melvin recalled being stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base, New York City. He was in New York City on July 4th and watched the fireworks with half million people. He watched a flyover by 1000 planes. He loved NYC and riding the subway.
After his discharge from the Army, Melvin attended La Sierra College in Riverside, California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, graduating in June 1950. Mel's parents knew the granddaughter of their friends the Kenneys from Gaston, Oregon where she and Robert both taught at Laurelwood Academy. The Whites invited this young woman, Geraldine McComas, to attend Melvin's graduation (obviously a set-up).
Melvin and Geraldine married August 23, 1950. Melvin worked as a logger at that time. Together they had two children. The couple divorced in July 1956.
Melvin moved to California where he worked as an x-ray technician and eventually as a lab technician.
On May 23, 1960, Mel Married Lois Azevedo Ward. Mel continued to work as a lab technician. Lois was a registered nurse. The couple had one daughter together. Lois died in 1978.
At the time of his death, Melvin lived in Mariposa, California in a home he built himself.
Submitted by Jodine L. Bergen
Upon Robert White's graduation from college, the family moved to Bozeman, Montana where Robert taught Math and Science at Mt Ellis Academy. Melvin attended Mt Ellis Academy, graduating in 1939. Melvin next enrolled at Walla Walla College.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Melvin felt compelled to enlist in the US Army as a Conscientious Objector, dropping out of college. He became a member of the medical corp serving as Technician Grade 5 (T/5) aboard the USAHS Ernest Hinds. The ship served the area between the U.S. East Coast and the Mediterranean Sea during 1943 and 1944, serving as a mobile hopital/ambulance.
Melvin wrote of serving off the coast of Cyprus where he treated many wounded German soldiers. At the time he did not understand why they were fighting the Germans, not knowing the extent of what was going on in Europe with Hitler. He had studied German in high school in Bozeman where there were many German immigrants. He appreciated being able to speak with the prisoners he treated.
In a letter, Melvin recalled being stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base, New York City. He was in New York City on July 4th and watched the fireworks with half million people. He watched a flyover by 1000 planes. He loved NYC and riding the subway.
After his discharge from the Army, Melvin attended La Sierra College in Riverside, California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, graduating in June 1950. Mel's parents knew the granddaughter of their friends the Kenneys from Gaston, Oregon where she and Robert both taught at Laurelwood Academy. The Whites invited this young woman, Geraldine McComas, to attend Melvin's graduation (obviously a set-up).
Melvin and Geraldine married August 23, 1950. Melvin worked as a logger at that time. Together they had two children. The couple divorced in July 1956.
Melvin moved to California where he worked as an x-ray technician and eventually as a lab technician.
On May 23, 1960, Mel Married Lois Azevedo Ward. Mel continued to work as a lab technician. Lois was a registered nurse. The couple had one daughter together. Lois died in 1978.
At the time of his death, Melvin lived in Mariposa, California in a home he built himself.
Submitted by Jodine L. Bergen
Melvin Eugene White was born February 8, 1921 to Robert A and Alice Christopherson White. He was born in Crawfordsville, Linn, Oregon. By the time he began school, the family had moved to College Place, Walla Walla, Washington where Robert was working towards his degree at Walla Walla College. Melvin attended public school in College Place.
Upon Robert White's graduation from college, the family moved to Bozeman, Montana where Robert taught Math and Science at Mt Ellis Academy. Melvin attended Mt Ellis Academy, graduating in 1939. Melvin next enrolled at Walla Walla College.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Melvin felt compelled to enlist in the US Army as a Conscientious Objector, dropping out of college. He became a member of the medical corp serving as Technician Grade 5 (T/5) aboard the USAHS Ernest Hinds. The ship served the area between the U.S. East Coast and the Mediterranean Sea during 1943 and 1944, serving as a mobile hopital/ambulance.
Melvin wrote of serving off the coast of Cyprus where he treated many wounded German soldiers. At the time he did not understand why they were fighting the Germans, not knowing the extent of what was going on in Europe with Hitler. He had studied German in high school in Bozeman where there were many German immigrants. He appreciated being able to speak with the prisoners he treated.
In a letter, Melvin recalled being stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base, New York City. He was in New York City on July 4th and watched the fireworks with half million people. He watched a flyover by 1000 planes. He loved NYC and riding the subway.
After his discharge from the Army, Melvin attended La Sierra College in Riverside, California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, graduating in June 1950. Mel's parents knew the granddaughter of their friends the Kenneys from Gaston, Oregon where she and Robert both taught at Laurelwood Academy. The Whites invited this young woman, Geraldine McComas, to attend Melvin's graduation (obviously a set-up).
Melvin and Geraldine married August 23, 1950. Melvin worked as a logger at that time. Together they had two children. The couple divorced in July 1956.
Melvin moved to California where he worked as an x-ray technician and eventually as a lab technician.
On May 23, 1960, Mel Married Lois Azevedo Ward. Mel continued to work as a lab technician. Lois was a registered nurse. The couple had one daughter together. Lois died in 1978.
At the time of his death, Melvin lived in Mariposa, California in a home he built himself.
Submitted by Jodine L. Bergen
Upon Robert White's graduation from college, the family moved to Bozeman, Montana where Robert taught Math and Science at Mt Ellis Academy. Melvin attended Mt Ellis Academy, graduating in 1939. Melvin next enrolled at Walla Walla College.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Melvin felt compelled to enlist in the US Army as a Conscientious Objector, dropping out of college. He became a member of the medical corp serving as Technician Grade 5 (T/5) aboard the USAHS Ernest Hinds. The ship served the area between the U.S. East Coast and the Mediterranean Sea during 1943 and 1944, serving as a mobile hopital/ambulance.
Melvin wrote of serving off the coast of Cyprus where he treated many wounded German soldiers. At the time he did not understand why they were fighting the Germans, not knowing the extent of what was going on in Europe with Hitler. He had studied German in high school in Bozeman where there were many German immigrants. He appreciated being able to speak with the prisoners he treated.
In a letter, Melvin recalled being stationed at the Brooklyn Army Base, New York City. He was in New York City on July 4th and watched the fireworks with half million people. He watched a flyover by 1000 planes. He loved NYC and riding the subway.
After his discharge from the Army, Melvin attended La Sierra College in Riverside, California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, graduating in June 1950. Mel's parents knew the granddaughter of their friends the Kenneys from Gaston, Oregon where she and Robert both taught at Laurelwood Academy. The Whites invited this young woman, Geraldine McComas, to attend Melvin's graduation (obviously a set-up).
Melvin and Geraldine married August 23, 1950. Melvin worked as a logger at that time. Together they had two children. The couple divorced in July 1956.
Melvin moved to California where he worked as an x-ray technician and eventually as a lab technician.
On May 23, 1960, Mel Married Lois Azevedo Ward. Mel continued to work as a lab technician. Lois was a registered nurse. The couple had one daughter together. Lois died in 1978.
At the time of his death, Melvin lived in Mariposa, California in a home he built himself.
Submitted by Jodine L. Bergen
Inscription
MELVIN EUGENE WHITE
US ARMY
World War II
Feb. 8, 1921 - Sep. 29, 1999
