Seaman Arnold White enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1940 as a Radio Operator and participate in six sea battles, including combat operations aboard the U.S.S. O’Brien (DD 725) during World War II. The combat destroyer vessel U.S.S. O’Brien would be assigned to Task Force 54 in support of the invasion of Kerama Retto islands and securing an advance logistics base during operation “Iceberg,” which became the “Key to Victory at Okinawa.”
On March 27, 1945, a little after 6 am, four kamikaze airplanes were spotted skimming the low cloud cover, heading directly for the U.S.S. O’Brien destroyer ship. The ship’s anti-aircraft guns immediately opened fire peppering the air with explosives and shrapnel, sending two of the Japanese planes crashing into the sea in flames. A third plane was taken down by an American combat air patrol aircraft. Tragically, the U.S.S. O’Brien sustained a critical blow just behind the bridge of the ship from the fourth kamikaze airplane. The plane collided with the ship with a terrible ear-splitting roar transforming the central superstructure into an inferno of leaping flames with blackened twisted metal. The suicide plane carrying a 500-pound bomb hit the radio room just behind the radar room where Radiomen 2nd Class Arnold White was performing his duties when the horrific blow to the ship occurred. Second Class Radiomen Arnold White was killed during this combat action against the Japanese kamikaze attack in support of Task Force 54 invasion operation. (Arnold White photo provided by Galen Nephew).
Radiomen 2nd Class Arnold White along with 52 other Sailors who were killed-in-action that day and posthumously received the Purple Heart from the President of the United States. Arnold’s other awards and decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal. American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. Honoring our fallen Warrior Radiomen 2nd Class Arnold White killed-in-action March 27. 1945. May our Warrior Rest-in-Peace. Biography was read by Iroquois Post 1587 Officer Nancy Scott on 31MAY2021@11am.
Arnold White’s family member Ronald Hart is expected to be in attendance to receive this highest honor of the Eagle Feather heirloom. Ronald Hart is a Vietnam War Veterans who will ensure the family legacy of the White family Warriors will not be forgotten. Next-of-Kin parents Julia Hemlock and Willard White Sr. and service member brothers Norman White who served in the U.S. Army and Malon White who served in the U.S.M.C.
Arnold White was buried at sea and memorialized on tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.
Arnold White served with Elvin Mason- Radioman 3rd Class; Leon Diehl- Radioman 2nd Class; John Linn- Radioman 1st Class; and Glenn Ramsy- Radioman 1st Class who all were killed during this combat operation.
Navy Report Info: 27 Mar 1945
While operating off Okinawa, USS O’Brien (Cdr. William Woddward Outerbridge) was heavily damaged by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft in position 26°16’N, 127°26’E.
53 crewmembers were kilTled and 73 wounded along with Commanding Officer Outerbridge.
Biography assembled by Iroquois Post 1587 Post Commander Ron Cook Jr.
