Patriots in History

Thomas A. White

"Raising the USS Arizona Colors"

The USS Arizona lies beneath the Hawaiian waters as one of our most sacred memorials to American patriots of World War II.  On December 7, 1941, Thomas A.   White was serving on the USS Arizona during the bombing at Pearl Harbor.  From  the  first bombs that hit the ship to the last wave of Japanese planes, White fought courageously in trying to save his shipmates.  Searching below deck and in the waters for survivors, he never wavered from the deeds of heroism on that day.  After saving many lives, and saving the captains gig from sinking, he began to abandon the ship as ordered. What happened next inspired many sailors on that dreadful day. 

In his own statement  he says: "Then as I glanced back at the Arizona something appeared to be wrong. I noticed the Colors had not yet been run up. I returned to the ship to run up the Colors. When I had completed running up the Colors I started-looking for any dead or injured persons lying around on the quarterdeck but there were none"

Boatswain's Mate Second Class Thomas A. White once again displayed the true   spirit of patriotism that has inspired many sailors, soldiers, airmen, and  marines throughout our military history.