Longings of the Heart The Story of Elsie Machle White

Georgene Searfoss · 24 December 2019, 12:02 PM

Just on the market, Longings of the Heart is about the life of Elsie Machle White, the widow of 1st Lt. Wilbert W. White, and flying ace killed in 1918. It is a narrative biography based on personal letters. Wilber and Elsie were prolific letter writers which started when they met at Wooster University in 1909 and lasted until his death in 1918. It continues beyond that time period as she recovers from his untimely death and how she resolves the turmoil it creates. It can be purchased online from Barnes & Noble, or Amazon for $21.95.

nogalesace · 26 December 2019, 03:00 PM

Just ordered it! Thanks for the heads up, Georgene. Looking forward to what he has to say about the boys in the squadron among other things.

Chris

Barrett · 27 December 2019, 04:32 PM

Cannot find it now but IIRC Rickenbacker observed White's sacrifice, though how it was known his guns jammed and he intentionally rammed the Fokker Idunno. Assuming that those claims could be verified, his MoH nomination deserved reconsideration. The Big One has been awarded for putting one's feet on the floor in the morning. Honest.

Georgene Searfoss · 8 January 2020, 03:36 PM

A year after his death, Dr. White contacted Charley Cox to hear his side of the story. I have the letter but he never mentions his gun jamming; but describes the ramming. He says the German lifted his plane slightly and the two plane came together at the wings.

Barrett · 13 January 2020, 09:35 AM

Thank you Georgene. It's been noted several places that White was nominated fors the Medal of Honor but I've not found any solid references. Anybody have a line on the documentation? Who would've initiated the process--squadron or group CO?

Georgene Searfoss · 5 February 2020, 04:24 PM

My research indicates that the alumni of Mercersburg Academy tried to get it...at the direction of the family (Dr. White), and there was conversation back and forth with Washington, but it was turned down. I don't know the reason it was turned down.

Barrett · 12 February 2020, 10:01 AM

As I understand it, White's MoH recommendation from the congressman did not gain enough support from other representatives. Same situation with Joe Wehner, both in 1930--the year Rickenbacker's politicking finally paid off.

However, the mention of the Fokker nosing up goes a long way to confirm what I suspected--it was an unintended collision common to combat in a crowded airspace.