Pvt. Edward Douglas White was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 7, 1922, to Edward D. White and Ann Marie Greiner-White, and had two sisters and two brothers. One sister died as a child. He was called Douglas. His family resided at 1126 North 5th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, and he graduated from Lincoln School and attended Proviso Township High School but left school before his class graduated. After leaving school, he worked at the Wander Company, Villa Park, Illinois, as a lathe operator.
Douglas registered with Selective Service on June 27, 1942, and named his mother as his contact person. He was drafted into the army on August 7, 1943, and issued the serial number 36 680 017. Information on his training is limited, but it is known that he trained at Fort Riley, Kansas and left the United States from Ft. Meade, Maryland, on February 17, 1944, and was sent to Italy. There, he joined Company F, 168th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division which had just been relieved after fighting to capture Monte Casino.
On March 25, 1944, the 34th landed at Anzio Beach where it took up defensive positions. It was his division was holding the positions, that Douglas was hit in the head by shrapnel from a mortar shell and killed on March 29, 1944, in the vicinity of Cisterna di Littoria, Italy. The next day, the 30th, he was buried in the American Military Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, in Plot S, Row 2, Grave 2469. A temporary wooden cross with one his identification tags attached to it marked his grave. His other id tag was buried with him.
His mother received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS MAE G WHITE
1126 NORTH 5TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE EDWARD D WHITE HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWENTY NINE MARCH IN ITALY PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter followed the telegram.
Mrs. Mae G. White
1126 North 5th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. White:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Private Edward D. White, 36 680 017, Infantry, has been reported missing in action since 29 March 1944 in Italy.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
When his death was confirmed, his status as missing in action was terminated and his mother received another telegram the week of June 18th.
MRS MAE G WHITE
1126 NORTH 5TH AVENUE
MAYWOOD ILLINOIS
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS DESIRES THAT I TENDER HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON PRIVATE EDWARD D WHITE WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TWENTY NINE MARCH IN ITALY LETTER FOLLOWS=
DUNLOP
ACTING THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
His mother next received a letter from the War Department.
Mrs. Mae G. White
1126 North 5th Avenue
Maywood, Illinois
Dear Mrs. White:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private Edward D. White, 36 680 017, Infantry, who was previously reported missing in action on 29 March 1944 in Italy.
An official message has now been received which states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently, provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon.
I realize the burden of anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort.
My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
In a letter dated March 25, 1946, his mother was told where Edward was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. In another letter, dated February 19, 1947, his mother was provided more information about the cemetery and informed that in a future letter she would receive information on her options on for her son’s final burial. On March 6, 1947, she received a letter from the Office of the Quartermaster General, Washington DC, that included a form that she was asked to complete and return to the OQMG indicating where she wanted Edward buried. When she did not return the form, she was sent a second form. The OQMG received the form on August 14, 1947, indicating that Mae White wanted her son returned to Illinois for burial.
Edward’s remains were exhumed and by truck taken to to the Naples Port Morgue where they were casketed on April 5, 1948. His casket remained in Naples until June 24th, when they were taken to the port area and placed on the USAT Carroll Victory which sailed the same day. The ship arrived in the New York Port of Entry on July 6th, and the next day his casket was sent by train with a military escort. His casket arrived at the Quartermaster Corps’ Distribution Center #8, Chicago, on the 9th. On August 25th, his casket was taken in a military hearse, with a military escort, to the Conboy Funeral Home in Chicago. Pvt. Edward D. White was buried at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, in Block 13, Section 14, Grave 4.
