Alpheus W. White

Private First Class Alpheus W. White was killed in action on June 7, 1944 in Burma during World War II.  He was 38 years old.

Alpheus W. White was born on September 19, 1905 in Vance County, North Carolina, the son of William Wood White and Effie Bridgers White.  He was married to Florence Walker White.

PFC Alpheus White was inducted into the U.S. Army on December 13, 1942 and was deployed to the China-Burma-IndiaTheater of War in November, 1943 serving in Company B, 236th Combat Engineer Battalion, Armor Service and then with the 5307th Composite Unit (“Merrill’s Marauders).

The 5307th Composite Unit was formed in 1943 under the command of Brigadier General Frank Merrill. Its mission was to conduct deep-penetration raids behind Japanese lines in the China-Burma-India theater, disrupting communications, supply routes, and reinforcing Allied strategic objectives. It was modeled partially after British Chindit operations, focusing on irregular, high-mobility warfare in dense jungle and mountainous terrain.

Merrill's Marauders comprised approximately 3,000 volunteers, including soldiers drawn from various U.S. Army units. They were lightly armed and highly trained in jungle survival, long-range patrols, demolition, and combat reconnaissance. Training emphasized endurance, stealth, and physical resilience, as the unit was expected to operate deep behind enemy lines with minimal support.

The unit is most famous for its 1,000-mile advance over five months during the 1944 Burma Campaign. Operating largely on foot through extreme jungle terrain and sub-tropical conditions, they conducted raids on Japanese positions and supply lines, aimed at weakening the enemy and paving the way for larger Allied offensives.

On May 17, 1944, after a grueling 62 mile march over the 6,600 ft Kumon Mountain range (using mules for carrying supplies) to Myitkyina, approximately 1,300 remaining Marauders, along with elements of the 42nd and 150th Chinese Infantry Regiments of the X Force, attacked the unsuspecting Japanese at the Myitkyina airfield. The assault on the airfield was a complete success; however, the town of Myitkyina could not immediately be taken with the forces on hand. An initial assault by elements of two Chinese regiments was repulsed with heavy losses. After reinforcement by an airlanded Chinese army division, the town finally fell to the Allies on August 3, 1944. PFC Alpheus W. White was killed in action on June 7, 1944 in the battle to take Myitkyina.

Private First Class Alpheus W. White is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.   

Last edited: 8 June 2026