Staff Sgt. Robert White

34, US Army

September 26 marks the passing of Army Staff Sgt. Robert White, 34, of Cross Lanes WV. SSG White died from wounds he sustained as his patrol was attacked by militants near Zahri, Afghanistan Sep 26th 2005. 

Robert was born Feb 20th 1971 to Shirley and Stan White formerly of Cross Lanes WV. He comes from a proud military family. His brothers CPL Andrew White USMC (deceased), and brother Senior Chief William White US Navy (retired) both served with distinction.

Robert graduated from Nitro High School in Nitro, WV, in 1989 and was a competitive swimmer. He played drum in his junior high school's band and was also a wrestler. He was a committed member of Lafayette Baptist Church and a dedicated Scout Master to Boy Scout Troop 40 in Hope Mills. 

He entered the US Army in November of 1990. He always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face, no matter how tough the situation, and no matter who he was talking to. He was greatly respected by his troopers, peers and superiors alike as a great leader and paratrooper. Robert was an unusually experienced infantryman, who had graduated from the elite Ranger school and from Air Assault school. He had served in Kosovo, Korea and Nicaragua. SSG White, a ranger-qualified squad leader, began his most recent duty with the 82nd Airborne Division in September 2004. 

This was his third assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division since 1992. SSG White was an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Multinational Forces and Observer’s Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

“Bob White was the kind of man who always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face, no matter how tough the situation, and no matter who he was talking to,” said Lt. Col. David P. Anders, 1st Battalion, 325th AIR commander. “He was greatly respected by his troopers, peers and superiors alike as a great leader and paratrooper. A loving husband, father and dear friend to many, he will be sadly missed, and always remembered as a fine man who left this earth far too early but was doing the work he loved to do.”

Robert’s sister, Christina White said, “I never really thought to worry about him because he’s been over there tons of times. But it doesn’t matter how many times you’re over there, you’re still in danger,”

Robert is survived by his wife, Cathy, and their son, Zachary in Hope Mills NC; his parents, Stan and Shirley White of Davis WV; sister Christina in Sheridan, Wyoming; his brother William “Willy” of Cross Lanes, WV.

Let us honor and remember him and his family and always… 

Say His Name.

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