Christopher White
Christopher White grew up on a farm in Eastview, Kentucky. That is where he developed his love for the outdoors and his passion for hunting and fishing. His father William "Mike" White said Chris shot his first deer at the age of seven. Chris was also a great athlete who played football in high school.
Mike spent 12 years in the Army, and Chris followed him into military service. Chris always wanted to be a Marine. He joined the Marines in May, 2005. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, California. Less than one year later, in January 2006, he was deployed to Iraq as a Private First Class.
On June 20, 2006, Chris, a machine gunner, and four other Marines were riding in the last Humvee in a convoy traveling through Al-Anbar Province when an IED exploded under their vehicle. Christopher and three other Marines were killed. Chris' platoon leader said, "He was an amazing young man and he is a true American hero." He will always remember Chris' dedication, pride in his unit, and his sense of humor.
Chris is survived by his father, Mike, and his mother, Galia, along with a brother Michael, just 11 months older than Christopher. The brothers shared an extremely close bond. After Chris's death Michael said, "The love he had for all of us was so strong that he gave the ultimate price doing what he believed was right. Chris White will live on in all of us in some way, but to me he was the greatest brother one could ever have."
Christopher Neal White was 23 years of age. He had served in the Marine Corps for fourteen months.
After his death, Chris' father, Mike, began an organization that invites wounded veterans to enjoy hunting experiences. The outfit, called "Camp Hope", is located in southeastern Missouri. The antlers from the last deer Chris shot are mounted and hung at Camp Hope.
Read about The Mission Continues Fellows Phillip Sturgeon and Shawn Billiot, both Christopher White Memorial Fellows.
Our Mission:
To build an America where every returning veteran can serve again as a citizen leader, and where together we honor the fallen by living their values through service.
