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Isaac D. White

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Isaac D. White
Portrait of Isaac D. White
Nickname(s)"Mr. Armor"
BornMarch 6, 1901
Peterborough, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 1990(1990-06-11) (aged 89)
Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S.
Buried
Pine Hill Cemetery, Peterborough, New Hampshire
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1923–1961[1]
RankGeneral
UnitArmor Branch
CommandsU.S. Army, Pacific
Eighth United States Army
Fourth United States Army
X Corps
U.S. Constabulary
2nd Armored Division
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Silver Star (2)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal
Other workAuthor

Isaac Davis White (March 6, 1901 – June 11, 1990) was a senior officer in the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC) from July 1957 to March 1961. He was commissioned in the cavalry in 1923 and went on to serve in World War II and the Korean War.[2] Because of his extensive experience in tank warfare, at his retirement Armor magazine dubbed him "Mr. Armor".[3]

Education

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White graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Norwich University in 1922.[4] His professional military education included the Cavalry School Troop Officer's Course (1928), United States Army Command and General Staff College (1939), and National War College (1948).[4]

In 1951, White received the honorary degree of Master of Military Science from Norwich University.[5] In 1957, Norwich awarded White an honorary LL.D.[6] In 1958, the University of Maryland, College Park awarded him an honorary Doctor of Military Science.[7]

Military career

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Major General Isaac D. White, commanding the 2nd Armored Division, presents T 5 Ivan L. Aleshire, from Montrose, Illinois, with the Silver Star, May 4, 1945.

Most of White's career was spent as a troop commander. His major commands include Commanding General of the 2nd Armored Division in Europe, 1945, and Commanding General of the United States Constabulary for the European Command. In the latter stages of the Korean War, he served as Commanding General of X Corps, followed by Commanding General of the Fourth Army in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Prior to becoming Commanding General for the US Army, Pacific, White served as Commanding General for the Eighth Army in Korea.

General James Van Fleet (left) talks to Lieutenant General Isaac D. White at the airstrip, during his visit north of Korea.

Additional assignments include Commandant of the Cavalry School and Commandant for the Ground General School in Fort Riley, Kansas. He later served as Deputy Commanding General for the Seventh Army and Chief of Staff for First Army Headquarters, Governors Island, New York. He also served as Commandant of the Armored School. After retirement, White received recognition as a visionary, strategic military thinker with the publication of his book, Alternative to Armageddon—the Peace Potential of Lightning War. Published in 1970, he advocated a quick strike capability for US forces as an alternative to a nuclear exchange or a war of attrition, as the nation was experiencing in Vietnam at the time.

Awards and decorations

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White's awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and multiple decorations from other nations including the Order of the Red Banner[8] from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and awards from Korea, France, Belgium, Philippines, Mexico, and Japan.

U.S. Route 202, from White's birthplace of Peterborough, New Hampshire, through Jaffrey to the Massachusetts border in Rindge, has been designated the "General I.D. White Highway" in his honor.

References

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  1. ^ Fowler, Glenn (June 14, 1990). "I. D. White, World War II Commander, Dies at 89". New York Times.
  2. ^ https://www."Isaac White, general who led tank drives". Chicago Tribune. June 15, 1990. p. 61. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Third Patton Tribute Sunday at Auditorium". Lowell Sun. Lowell, MA. May 15, 1974. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b U.S. Army Adjutant General (1949). Official Army Register. Vol. I. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 570 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Col. Fred Thomas to Get Honorary Norwich Degree". The Vermont Sunday News. St. Albans, VT. June 10, 1951. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Norwich Presented Degrees to 159 Seniors at Graduation Yesterday". Barre Daily Times. Barre, BT. June 10, 1957. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "U. of M.'s Far East Branch Graduates 20". The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, MD. Associated Press. March 25, 1958. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Empric, Bruce E. (2024), Uncommon Allies: U.S. Army Recipients of Soviet Military Decorations in World War II, Teufelsberg Press see pg. 40 for details concerning White's Order of the Red Banner award, ISBN 979-8344468075
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Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General 2nd Armored Division
January–June 1945 		Succeeded by
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