ROBERT H "PUG" WOODS
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Donald WHITE
S/sgt, 2d Platoon, 'F' Company, 503d PRCT
Battery Hearn
17 February 1945
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Following the death of 'Happy' Hoyt, S/Sgt Donald White was the
second squad leader of 1Lt Ed Flash’s 2nd platoon killed the night of 17th
February. His platoon had been sent to reinforce Bill Calhoun’s 1st platoon
in defending Battery Hearn. White’s squad was in the midst of the heavy
fighting which lasted all night. As Calhoun viewed the field the next
morning, and looked at White’s atabrine colored, waxy face, with tears in
his eyes, all Calhoun could say was, “Damn, Donald, why’d you have to move
out further to protect your squad’s flank!” Like Happy Hoyt and almost all
our NCO’s, Donald did everything possible to protect his men in doing his
duty. S/Sgt Donald White was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his
heroic action.
Bill Calhoun
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