Original U.S. WWII Pearl Harbor Survivor Navy 6x30 Binoculars in Case, ID Bracelet, and Table Medal of Lt. Commander Frederic H. White, USS West Virginia
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Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an exceptional grouping identified to Lieutenant Commander Frederic H. White, a Pearl Harbor survivor who served aboard the battleship USS West Virginia (BB-48) and played a documented role in the defense of the ship during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. White, then a Lieutenant Junior Grade, was among the officers directing the ship’s antiaircraft defense and was directly involved in placing Mess Attendant Second Class Doris “Dorie” Miller at one of the ship’s .50-caliber antiaircraft machine guns. Miller’s actions that day later earned him the Navy Cross, making him the first African American sailor to receive that decoration.
According to the official USS West Virginia action report and later Naval History and Heritage Command accounts, White reached the antiaircraft battery during the attack, found the guns being manned without an officer in charge, and took command of the battery. White subsequently ordered Miller to assist Ensign Victor Delano with the unmanned No. 1 and No. 2 .50-caliber antiaircraft guns. After giving Miller quick instruction, White discovered that Miller had begun firing at the attacking Japanese aircraft and then helped feed ammunition to the guns.
The official action report specifically records that Lieutenant F.H. White, aided by Doris Miller, helped haul men through oil and water to the quarterdeck, actions credited with unquestionably saving lives. Another officer’s statement in the report singled White out for his assistance, initiative, and disregard for personal danger during the attack.
White served aboard the USS West Virginia, affectionately known as the “Wee Vee,” from 1939 to 1944. The battleship suffered devastating damage at Pearl Harbor but was later raised, rebuilt, and returned to combat service. This grouping preserves several highly personal objects belonging to White from his wartime and postwar life.
The group consists of:
- White’s 6x30 U.S. Navy Buships Mk. XXXIII Mod. I. binoculars, manufactured in 1943 by the Universal Camera Corp. of New York. These were White’s binoculars after the attack at Pearl Harbor. The original case is marked LT. F.H. WHITE on the top, and the same is marked on the side of the barrel of the binoculars. The case is missing the carry strap and handle.
- White’s Sterling Identification Bracelet, engraved F.H. WHITE / 96316 U.S.N.R. on the front and T10/410P on the back. The chain is in great shape and works fine.
- Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Table Medal in velvet-lined presentation case. Medal is 3” in diameter and is likely bronze.
- Pearl Harbor Survivors Association “In Memory of” card for Lt. Cmdr. F.H. White. Likely issued with the table medal.
- Printed history of the service of Frederic H. White with his first hand account of the day.
The combination of White’s named wartime Navy binoculars, sterling identification bracelet, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association medal and memorial card, and accompanying service history makes this a particularly significant grouping. More importantly, White’s role aboard USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941 is documented in the ship’s official action report, including his command of the antiaircraft battery, his direct interaction with Doris Miller and Ensign Victor Delano, and his subsequent efforts to rescue fellow sailors.
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