Photo By Staff Sgt. Catrina Herbert | Mr. Gilbert D. White, enjoyed one of his many vacations while serving as the 19th...... read more read more
DAEGU, South Korea– Officers, Non-commission officers, soldiers, family members and local community leaders all came together to pay respect to a man who has touch everybody’s life somehow one way or another.
Gilbert (Dave) White was the Protocol Officer for the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) for over 20 years, until his untimely death.
Mr. White was born on Oct. 03, 1947, in Baltimore.
In Oct. 1966, he enlisted in the United States Army as an 11B, Infantryman. Dave had three combat tours in Vietnam. Dave retired from Active Duty, as a Master Sgt., on Oct. 31, 1992. Dave has served with the Department of Defense (DoD), honorably for more than 46 years throughout the U.S. and overseas.
“Dave was not just a superb Chief of Protocol in every sense of the word- he was an institution, a legacy, a unique character whose personality transcended his profession and became iconic in nature,” said Brig. Gen Stephen E. Farmen, commanding general 19th ESC. “His humour, his smile, his mannerisms, his quirky style that made him beloved and admired for all the many leaders and soldiers who served with or worked with Dave.”
White’s impact on operations and protocol for the command team and the entire unit is best described by the extremely long list of events that he oversaw and coordinated in support of the command team’s interest.
“Dave was a magnificent professional ambassador for Team 19,” said Lt. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, former commanding general of 19th ESC. “Even before I became the commander of the 19th ESC, I visited Daegu many times, and each time Dave would meet me at the airport and I always knew I was in good hands.”
He was directly responsible for scheduling, coordinating and executing high level events on a routine basis. His efforts to put the right face on the unit and the command team are demonstrated by his dedication to receive, escort and senior leaders of the Army, but did the same for our sister, tenant and enabler services as well as foreign military dignitaries.
“Knowing that the reputation of the command was often in his hands as he escorted visitors and VIPS into the area, I never once doubted that Dave would ensure a positive experience and pleasant visit was had by all,” said Maj. Gen (retired) Barry Bates, former commanding general 19th ESC.
White was at the point of spear, down to every minute detail, for every external and internal event that involved his unit or the command team of his unit.
White develop an indispensable network of contacts throughout United States Forces Korea (USFK) as well as throughout the Korean community. He is well known and routinely asked for by name from returning visitors and always receives recognition for his work ethic.
Sgt. Joshua Stevens, 19th ESC Protocol transportation coordinator said, “He loved his job, he loved what he did, he took care of those below him that worked for him.”
He not only cared for all protocol aspects if the duties associated with an overseas headquarters, but was also responsible for the transportation and lodging coordination for all unit exercises in support of unit overall mission.
“During family vacation my dad will drive back 2 hours one way just to come back to work to make sure that things were taken care at the office,” said Ryan White.
When it came down to family values White was a strict man that taught his children responsibility at an early age and the value of working by getting up everyday going in to make things happen at the 19th ESC.
“The one thing my father would say to me was that, I was not responsible enough to drive his car, but the day he went into the hospital, he gave me the keys to his car and said, you are responsible now,” said Ryan.
“The atmosphere now without him is not as jubilant, he is truly missed around here,” said Stevens.
The legacy of excellence he leaves behinds one of good humor, utmost professionalism, and genuine care and concern for others, the mission, and the strength of family. As for 19th ESC, his legacy will live on in all of us, and we owe it to live up to what Mr. White taught us and instilled in us.
“Dave, I will miss seeing you greeting me as I arrive at work in the morning, sometimes very earlier, one thing you could count on is that he would be there with a grin, a smile and a quick witted comment,” said Farmen. “ So in closing to inspire us all and in honour of Dave’s life and what he meant to Team 19 and all he touched during his journey, I will close with a quote from his own words: Three: ‘HOOAH! HOOAH! HOOAH!’”
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 10.25.2013 04:13 |
| Story ID: | 115720 |
| Location: | 27, KR |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Remembering the life of 19th ESC Protocol Officer Mr. Gilbert D. White, by SSG Catrina Herbert, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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