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Local Navy veteran recounts his experiences on May 29, 1945

109 views · Published 31 May 2017 · 3:13 · Indexed 21 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2017 · News & Politics

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FORT WRIGHT, Ky. (WKRC) – Monday, Memorial Day, is a day of remembrance that means different things to different people.

It is the unofficial beginning of summer, a day of parades and picnics.

But most importantly, it's a day for Americans to remember the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who died in service to their country.

One local veteran has a unique perspective on this day.

A neighborhood parade with candy, kids and lots of cool cars. Such is not an uncommon sight in America on Memorial Day.

For so many, the day is a well-earned day off, spent with family enjoying some time and some food outdoors.

For others it is a day to decorate the graves of veterans. For long-time Fort Wright resident Allan White, May 29th is a day etched in his memory.

"On May 29, 1945, 72 years ago, this very day, we were attacked by the Japanese suicide planes,” said Allan White.

On that date, Allan White was a 20-year old sailor aboard the USS Tatum, a destroyer escort steaming between Okinawa and Japan.

He manned one of the Tatum's 20mm anti-aircraft guns and helped splash all four attacking planes.

But one of them freakishly lost its payload, which slammed into the Tatum below decks.

"Hit us with a dud torpedo. Didn't go off. 10 feet below where I was standing. It's a day I've never forgotten and thank the Lord every day for that,” said White.

Allan White may have talked with God about May 29th every day, but he didn't talk about it to others. Not even his family, until recently.

"He held this very close to his heart. It was very personal to him. Now at his age he realizes that it's something this next generation needs to know about,” said Jane Woodruff, Allan White’s daughter.

For the sake of full disclosure, Allan White is a good friend of Local 12’s Joe Webb. Joe has known him 30 years and this Memorial Day was the first time Joe heard him tell the story.

Allan White served on the USS Tatum with 115 other men. Six of them died in service during World War II. He says those are the people who need to be honored today.

"It's a day to remember the people who gave their lives. I wasn't one of them. Almost. I wasn't one of them but they were different times back then,” said White.

And the links to those times are worth remembering, too.

Of those 115 men on the USS Tatum, 72 years ago, Allan White is one of only two still living.

After serving in the Navy, Allan White completed his education at the University of Kentucky.

He had a long career in print and television journalism.

Allan was one of the founders of WCPO(Channel 9)'s newsroom.

Allan White has lived in Fort Wright for 60 years.

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