DAVID ALLEN WHITE, born in Savannah, TN, on Jan. 1, 1947. Graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, AL in May 1966. Entered the Navy in June 1966. Attended boot camp at San Diego, CA. Went on the USS Monticello in Sept. 1966. Made three West - Pac cruises while on the Monticello. Volunteered for PBR duty in 1968 and went through boat training at Mare Island May - July 1968. Arrived in Vietnam July 30, 1968. Assigned to RIVSEC 544, which became RIVDIV 593 in Sept. 1968. Was forward gunner on PBR 755 until Nov. 1968, then assigned to PBR 756 until he left in March 1969. In July 1969 he went aboard the USS Vermillion and stayed until December. He then went to the USS Wood County until he was separated in Feb. 1970.
Awarded Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars w/Combat Vs, 2 Purple Hearts, Navy Commendation w/Combat V, Navy Achievement w/Combat V, Presidential Unit Citation for Operation Giant Slingshot.
Member of several Veterans organizations, including the American Legion, VFW, MOPH, Gamewardens of Vietnam, PBR-FVA, MRFA and the DAV.
He has been married to Deborah Hale since 1974. They have a son, Jimmy, and a daughter-in-law, Jennifer, a daughter, Kimberly, and a son-in-law, Adam. He has worked as a pipefitter since 1974 in Local 760, Muscle Shoals, AL. At the present time he is employed by TVA at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant near Athens, AL.
"I have tremendous respect for the sailors that made up the Brown Water Navy and am proud to be a part of it."