Nathaniel Cleo White

Nathaniel Cleo White’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross: Posthumousy awarded

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Nathaniel C. White (ASN: 1402540), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Vauxaillon, France, 19 September 1918. Private White, while acting as company runner, exposed himself constantly to intense enemy machine-gun and artillery fire and was killed while in the performance of his duty.

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star: Posthumousy awarded 24 November 1918

Citation: French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, under Order No. 62, dated November 24, 1918.

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 2 January 1897, Madison Parish, LA, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 20 September 1918 Vauxaillon, France
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private First Class
  • Company: [F]
  • Infantry Regiment: 370th
  • Division: 93rd

Personal Narrative

Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Nathaniel Cleo White was born on 2 January, 1897, to John (1859-?) and Julia (Jones) (1875-?) in Madison Parish, Louisiana, the fourth of nine children; Jenola (1891-?), Octavia (1892-?), Willie (1894-?), Walter (1899-?), Florence (1906-?), Virginia (1908-?), Lillie (1910-?), Ernest (1916-?), and Earl (1918-?).

Nathaniel lived between his parents in Arkansas, grandmother (Jane Jones-Steward, 1857-?), and uncle (Nathaniel Jones, ?-?) in Illinois for most of his life; before enlistment, he was a laborer for Chicago Public Works.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Nathaniel enlisted in the U.S. Army on 25 July, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois; Private White and his Company left Newport News, Virginia, on the U.S. Army Transport Ship President Grant on 7 April, 1918, arriving in Brest, France on 14 April, 1918. Then-Private FC White received the Distinguished Service Cross and French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star for his actions near Vauxaillon, France, on 19 September, 1918;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private First Class Nathaniel C. White (ASN: 1402540), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company F, 370th Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., at Vauxaillon, France, 19 September 1918. Private White, while acting as company runner, exposed himself constantly to intense enemy machine-gun and artillery fire and was killed while in the performance of his duty”. Posthumously awarded DSC by CG, AEF, December 6, 1918. Published in G.O. No. 44, W.D., 1919. French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, under Order No. 62, dated November 24, 1918.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Private FC White was killed in action on 20 September, 1918 and was buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery in Seringes-et-Nesles, Aisne, France.