718 Park Avenue - Matthew James Walter White Jr. - World War I Veteran

Born August 29, 1899 in Norfolk, VA, White was only 18 when he enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman out of Norfolk for the US Navy during WWI, following in his father’s footsteps, who had served as a National Guardsman during the Civil War. White had completed only his third year of high school, yet he was eager to serve his country. He was originally assigned to company 105 at St. Helena Training station, and was transferred to the US naval base at Hampton Roads in of January 1918. Matthew was promoted from Apprentice Seaman to Seaman 2nd Company April 1, 1918, and the next day, on April 2nd, he was transferred to USS President Grant. 

Embarking on the USS President Grant from Newport News, VA, White remained stationed on this ship for 13 round-trip voyages for transport duty from April 2nd 1918 until August 17th, 1919. During his time, he participated in two engagements involving submarine attacks. He remained with the U.S. Navy after the war.

White noted on being transferred to that medical corps that he thought it was the “highest calling in military in helping thousands of wounded soldiers in transport duty.” Despite enjoying his time on sea, wartime made him “appreciate the states more than ever, especially Virginia.” Training was difficult but, he felt, it bettered him, and wartime allowed him to “see a real God.” White would go on to serve again in World War II.

White had hoped that after his service, he would return to school, an ironic note as he said that war broadened him “more mentally and morally than 50 years of school could do.” He did return to school, attending Elon College in North Carolina and then University of Virginia, becoming a doctor, spurred by his service during the war. He married Rita Rothger White, and they had at least three children.

Matthew died February 14th, 1982 in Charlotte, Florida at the age of 82. He and Rita (who lived to be over 100 years old) are buried at Leaksville Church Cemetery in Page County, Virginia.

Ancestry.com. Florida, U.S., Death Index, 1877-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Matthew James Walter White, Jr.

"U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Elon University; Year: 1922. Matthew James Walter White, Jr.

White, Matthew James White, Jr. War History Commission State of Virginia Military Service Record. Library of Virginia, Virginia War History Commission.