Briefing Document: Merel Lee White

Subject: Biographical Information and Military Service of Merel Lee White

Date: October 26, 2023

1. Overview:

This document summarizes the available biographical and military service information for Merel Lee White, who was killed in action during World War II. The primary focus is on his birth, family, early life, military enlistment, and his tragic death while serving in the US Navy.

2. Key Biographical Details:

Full Name: Merel Lee White

Birth Date and Location: December 23, 1923, in Sidney, Comanche County, Texas.

Parents:Mabel Permelia Turner (b. 1894, d. 1960).

Aaron Rufus White (b. 1891, d. 1948).

Family: The text indicates he had at least one brother and one sister. His grandmother, Lula Turner, also lived with the family for some time.

Residence:1930, 1935, and 1940: JP5 Callahan County, Texas.

1942: Eula, Texas, with a mailing address of Rt.1 Clyde.

Employment Before Enlistment: Worked for Mr. Barren in Abilene, Texas.

Draft Registration: Registered for the draft in Callahan County, Texas, on June 3, 1942.

3. Military Service:

Branch: US Navy

Rank: Seaman Second Class Petty Officer (S2c)

Service Number: 8391024

Enlistment Date and Location: January 23, 1943, Texas.

Ship: USS John Penn APA-23

Unit: Served on the USS John Penn during the New Georgia Group Operation in the Solomon Islands.

Next of Kin: Initially his mother, Mrs. Mabel White, and then later Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Rufus White, both of Rt. 1, Clyde, Texas.

Combat Deployment: The USS John Penn was stationed off Lunga Point on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.

4. Circumstances of Death:

Date of Incident: August 13, 1943, at approximately 9:20 PM.

Incident Details: The USS John Penn was attacked by Japanese B5N Kate torpedo planes. One Japanese plane crashed onto the ship, and a torpedo hit the cargo hold.

Outcome: The explosions caused the ship to sink at 9:50 PM. Ninety-eight men were killed or missing in action, including S2c Merel L. White.

Status: Initially listed as Missing in Action (MIA).

Official Declaration of Death: A Finding of Death (F.O.D.) was issued by the War Department one year and one day after the sinking, officially declaring him dead on August 14, 1944.

Memorialization: Merel L. White is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines.

5. Key Themes & Important Ideas:

Tragic Loss: The document details the tragic loss of life for a young man during World War II. The attack on the USS John Penn highlights the brutality of war and the danger faced by sailors in the Pacific theater.

Family Connections: The document provides insights into the family structure and home life of Merel Lee White, showing him growing up in rural Texas with strong family ties. The importance of his parents as his next-of-kin shows the deep family connection, even while he was in the service.

Early Adulthood: The documentation of Merel's residences and employment indicate a young man living with his family and working before entering the military. This emphasizes that his military service and death came early in his adulthood.

Sacrifice: White's story is a representation of the many sacrifices made by ordinary Americans during World War II. His enlistment, service, and ultimate death serve as a reminder of the cost of war.

Historical Record: This document captures a moment in the historical record, preserving details of a life and death during a crucial period. The detailed information about his family, service, and the ship sinking contribute to a more complete picture.

6. Important Quotes:

"Merel L. White nsn-8391024 a single white male born Texas in 1923 residing in Callahan County, Texas working as a serviceman enlisted from civilian life into the US Navy at Texas on 23 January 1943..."

"...The explosions caused plenty of damage to sink the John Penn at 9:50 p.m., 98 men from the John Penn were listed as killed or missing in action. S2c White was listed as missing in action on 13 August 1943."

"The War Dept issued a F.O.D., finding of death, one year plus one day after the sinking to declare him dead on 14 August 1944."

7. Conclusion:

Merel Lee White's story is a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices made during wartime. His brief life is captured through records of his family, his rural upbringing, his enlistment, and his tragic loss while serving his country. This document serves as a record of his life and his sacrifice during World War II.