- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1940
- Date Of Death: July 18, 2022
- State: Alabama
Retired CW3 James “Jim” Michael White passed away at home on Monday 18 July 2022. He was born 4 November 1940 in Garrison, Boone County, West Virginia to James Doyle and Barbara Ann (Totten) White.
Jim graduated from Sherman High School in Seth, West Virginia. He joined the United State Army in 1957. While serving Jim received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska in business administration with minors in economics and military service.
In 1967 he graduated from flight school. A month later Jim was deployed to Vietnam. During that deployment Jim flew 1,000 combat hours with the 176th Assault Helicopter Company. He flew rescue missions and was shot down twice and had two emergency landings due to maintenance problems. During his second tour to Vietnam in 1970 to 1971 Jim flew 600 combat hours of secret reconnaissance missions.
After retiring from the Army Jim became an Army civilian pilot at Redstone Airfield. He retired in 2000 as a standardization officer. At the end of his more than 40 years as a pilot for the government he had 14,000 flying hours. So yes, he spent almost one and a half years of his life with his head in the clouds.
Jim received many awards during his service in the Army. Those awards include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and 38 Air Medals including one with the V device. In 2010 Jim was one of four founding members for the North Alabama Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, which he served as the president for the first four years.
Jim belonged to many organizations including Warrant Officers Association, American Legion, Retired Military Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Combat Helicopter Pilots Association, and the National Rifle Association.
In the years since Jim retired, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed bowling and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Jim was a devoted fan of the Auburn Tigers and Cleveland Browns. He wouldn’t back down from a debate on any subject. Each year he looked forward to the National Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association reunions. He loved his Tesla and all the cool features that the car has.
He is preceded in death by his parents, stepdad Cornelius Hutchinson, brother Mark Hutchinson, and his oldest son Michael White.
He is survived by his beautiful bride of 46 years Teresa (Fisher) White, son and daughter in law Joseph and Jennifer White, son Todd White, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Jim is also survived by 2 sisters Barbara and Connie Hutchinson and 3 brothers Buzzy Hutchinson, Ronnie, and Michael White. Jim has many nieces and nephews and a platoon of friends that are going to miss him. Finally, we can’t leave out the family barber and Jim’s best friend Sam Maki.
In closing, the family would like to thank Huntsville Police Department and HEMSI for their help and care during this hard time. Thank you to the friends and family near and far that have called, text, and prayed for us during this time.
