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Capt Paul H. White attended college for four years and was employed at the Clarksburg Drug Company before he enlisted in Clarksburg, West Virginia on 19 April 1941.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal twice, the second time posthumously. The citations cited:

For gallantry in action in the St Lo sector, Normandy, France, on 17 July 1944. When his platoon became pinned down by machine gun and artillery fire, Lt White dangerously exposed himself in order to obtain a tank destroyer, and to direct its fire to clear out the enemy. Continuing with the advance, he saw one of his sergeants in an open field become seriously wounded from another machine gun. Without hesitation, and disregarding the enemy fire, he raced to the aid of the wounded man and succeeded in bringing him to the safety of a slit trench before being himself wounded. His outstanding leadership, gallant efforts, and devotion to duty won the respect and admiration of his men and is in keeping with the highest military traditions.

For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Habkirchen, Germany on 20 and 21 December 1944. Capt White, Commanding Company B, 137th Infantry, established his troops in defensive positions on the northern edge of the Breiterwald Forest. The Germans launched a counterattack from positions on a hill some 450 yards to the north. Capt White made his way to his outposts and directed automatic weapons fire upon a portion of the hill being used by the enemy as a line of departure. So skillfully did he direct the fire and movement of his troops that the Germans were forced to halt and reorganize. Capt White seized the opportunity to go to the rear in search of armored support. He located a tank and led it through the woods to the point of the enemy thrust, then coordinated the direct fire of the tank with that of his troops, causing heavy casualties among the enemy force and precipitating a withdrawal of the remaining Germans to their original position. The American position was then subjected to an enemy artillery barrage lasting over two hours and followed by a tank-supported infantry attack. Capt White sent an officer for armored support, then moved among his men, inspiring them to their best efforts by his personal bravery. While awaiting the arrival of friendly armor, he directed artillery fire upon the advancing enemy from a position exposed to enemy observation and fire. Upon receiving notification that two friendly tanks were in positions previously designated by him, Capt White ordered a limited withdrawal. The German attackers, approximately two companies of SS troops, ventured forward into the pocket created by the organized withdrawal, and were annihilated by the combined fire of Capt White's men and the two supporting tanks. The enemy attempted several more counterattacks the following day, but each attempt was stopped in its initial stages. Capt White's intrepidity, outstanding leadership and extreme coolness in the face of heavy odds reflects high credit upon his character as an officer and leader of men.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery in Grand Failly, France.

He is remembered at the Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.