| |
| |
Spanish American War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Cpl Edward White
Edward White was born January 15, 1877, in Seneca, Kansas. CPL White was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for performance above and beyond the call of duty while serving the 20th Kansas Volunteer Regiment in the Philippine Campaign of the Spanish-American War. He and CPL Trembley swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga River in the face of enemy fire, fastened a rope to occupied trenches, thereby enabling his own forces to cross the river and drive the enemy from fortified positions.
He enlisted in the military service of the United States as a private in Company B, 20th Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry, on June 15, 1898, he was mustered out October 28, 1899.
After the war, White returned to Kansas City, Kansas, and worked as a firefighter at Fire Station No. 3 in Armourdale [north Kansas City]. However, because of sickness [probably tuberculosis or malaria], he was forced to retire in 1905, but later found work as an iron worker on the intercity viaduct project. Ironically, he was later arrested for vagrancy and forging checks of his fellow Medal of Honor recipient, William Trembley, who at the time, was a judge. Although White was brought before Trembley in a courtroom, records do not indicate what became of the incident.
His death on December 3, 1908, at the age of 31, was caused by tuberculosis, believed to have been contracted while he was on duty in the Philippines. He left a wife and two children. He was buried in Kansas City at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The U.S. Army Reserve Center in Kansas City is named after White and Trembley.
CITATION
Pvt, Co B, 20th Kansas Volunteer Inf Action: At Calumpit, Luzon, Philippine Islands Date: April 27, 1899 Inducted: Kansas City, Kansas Born: Seneca, Kansas Issued: March 11, 1902 Citation: Swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga in face of the enemy's fire and fastened a rope to occupied trenches, thereby enabling the crossing of the river and the driving of the enemy from his fortified position.
|
|
|
|
|
Articles & Briefings
