PFC William Arthur White

courtesy of Maryann

PFC William Arthur White was born 24 Jan 1914 in Norwalk, Connecticut. He was the youngest of the 3 children of Milton Burritt and Emily Elizabeth (Moffett) White. His father worked as a carpenter but apparently left the family before 1920 and his mother worked in a local hat factory to support her children. William's education ended with the 8th grade and he went to work in the printing trade. He married Marie Ruth Wachter in October 1935 and the couple would live at 81 Seaview Avenue in Norwalk. 

William was drafted in November 1943. After completing his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. PVT White was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 17 Jul 1944 while the unit was near Saint-Lo, France. He fought with the unit through the liberation of Vire after which he was promoted on 13 Aug 1944. PFC White was still with B Company as the unit began the fight to liberate Brest. He was killed in action on 25 Aug 1944.

PFC White was repatriated in 1948 and re-interred in the Long Island National Cemetery in East Farmingdale, New York.

Great-grandfather, Edward C. Moffett, served in D Company 7th Connecticut Infantry (USA) in the Civil War. Great-grandfather, Theoderich Platt, served in 6th New York Heavy Artillery (USA).