Memorial

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Sgt Gene W. White graduated from Rock Island High School. He was employed as a woodworker in a lumber yard.

He entered the service in Peoria IL on July 15, 1941 and was sent overseas in May, 1943.

'On the mission of 1 August 1943, aircraft 42-40617-N was flying on the right element of the wave ahead of us. On entering the outskirts of the city, at approximately 1400 hours, while flying at height of 2500 feet, 617-N appeared to receive a direct hit in the forward section of the bomb bay from flak. In all probablility the bomb bay tanks were hit and caught fire. Within 15-30 seconds the complete bomb bay was envelopped in flames and the aircraft started down. In another 30 seconds the aircraft had crashed and exploded in the center of town starting a large fire. It is very improbable that any of the crewmembers survived the explosion. None were seen to bail out.'
Statement from John R. Colvin, 1st Lt, Air Corps.
Gene W. White was a WG on the Lt Stampolis crew which crashed into the Women Jail at Ploesti on 1st of August 1943 after the aircraft received a point blank AA hit on course to the target.

Sgt. White lost his life in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" one of the most daring raids of WW2 August 1st 1943. Coming in at tree top level the JOSE CARIOCA destroyed Romanian oil refineries. Sgt. White was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross for his valor and heroism.

Flown by Lt. Nicholas Stampolis from Libya to Ploesti, Stampolis had to return to base to have a leaking fuel cap tightened. Stampolis relaunched and was able to regain his place in the formation.

Flying extreme left position in the 3rd element, second section B force. JOSE CARIOCA was hit by flack on approach to target of opportunity. The ship was seen with fire in the bomb bay area but still released on target. Thereafter the pilots lost control hitting a rooftop before smashing into the Ploesti women's jail. Only 5 bodies recovered, one of which was Sgt White. This crew were flying their first combat mission.

Sgt Gene W. White was first buried at Temporary American Military Cemetery Ardennes, Belgium Block U, Row 8, Grave 176.