Cecil Marvin White
Private Cecil M. White was a Marine aviator with VMTB-233.
He was shot down over Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, on 14 February 1944 and died while a prisoner of war.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 818218
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
February 13, 1923
at Culdesac, ID
Parents
Leonard Earl White
Mettie Charlotte (Hammond) White
Education
Culdesac High School
Occupation & Employer
Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation
Service Life
Entered Service
January 9, 1943
at Portland, OR
Home Of Record
2300 SE 82nd Avenue
Portland, OR
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Leonard E. White
Military Specialty
Aerial gunner
Primary Unit
VMTB-233
Campaigns Served
Northern Solomons
Individual Decorations
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Prisoner of War Medal
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 14 February 1944, VMTB-233 ordered a mission to lay mines in Rabaul’s Simpson Harbor. Dropping a Mark 12 naval mine from an Avenger required slow speed and low altitude, so planners decided to send three separate waves at one-hour intervals under cover of darkness. Group C – which included pilot 1Lt. James L. Fowler, radioman PFC John J. Pudil, and turret gunner Private Cecil M. White in Plane #115 – departed Piva airfield at 0230 for the ninety-minute flight to Rabaul.
Unfortunately for the attackers, Japanese spotlight crews were on the alert – and “very accurate in picking up the planes and keeping them in the light.” Anti-aircraft gunners were also primed and ready, having battled two previous waves of attackers. Group C was badly mauled with three Avengers, including Fowler’s #115 (TBF-1C 25327), failing to return to base. VMTB-233 lost a total of six Avengers and eighteen Marines on the disastrous mission.
The entire crew of #115 was declared dead on 15 February 1945. Fowler was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross, while Pudil and White received Air Medals.
Burial Information or Disposition
Records located after the war suggest that Private White survived and was captured by Japanese forces on Rabaul. He allegedly died in a “bombing” on 12 April along with fellow VMTB-233 crewman SSgt. Edward M. Slipkas. Either or both may have been executed.
Other Marines lost on this mission were identified from remains buried at Finshaffen Cemetery #5; White may be among the remains yet to be investigated.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Leonard White.
The Whites moved from Culdesac after 1940, presumably for war work.
Location Of Loss
White died while being held as a POW at Rabaul, Papua New Guinea.
