Lawrence Kermit White

Lawrence Kermit White (June 10, 1912 – April 5, 2006) was an American army officer during World War II and later Director of the Foreign Broadcast Information Service, Deputy Director for Administration and Executive Director for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Early life White was the son of a Presbyterian minister in Tennessee, he earned money digging ditches at aged 16, before graduating from Troy High School in 1929. He was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point on 1 July 1929 with help from congressman Jerry Cooper and graduated with the class of 1933.

Military service In September 1942 White was sent to serve in the Pacific theater of the Second World War, seeing combat in New Georgia, Bougainville and the Philippines.

Colonel White led military operations against an armed enemy as the Commanding Officer of the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, during the Luzon Campaign in the Philippine Islands from February 2 to 15, 1945. Advancing toward Manila, his regiment encountered fierce enemy resistance near Plaridel, temporarily halting their progress. Without hesitation, Colonel White moved to the front lines, joining his assault elements. When a platoon leader was killed, he personally assumed command of the platoon, inspiring his troops to press forward, overcome enemy defenses, and push into the city.

While directing the regiment’s crossing of the Pasig River in Manila, enemy artillery concentrated fire on his observation post. Ordering his subordinates to take cover, Colonel White remained at his position and calmly coordinated the river crossing via radio. A week later, when communications with one of his battalions failed during an engagement, he braved heavy enemy machine-gun fire to conduct a personal reconnaissance. Returning with critical intelligence, his actions contributed to the battalion’s effectiveness in battle. Colonel White’s fearless leadership, unwavering commitment to duty, and disregard for personal safety played a decisive role in his regiment’s success during the Luzon operations.

White earned a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, and three Bronze Stars. Reaching the rank of colonel in the Philippines in 1945. He was severely wounded and had to be dragged to safety while under fire by US Army Chaplain Elmer Heindl. From 1945 until 1947 White recuperated in a number of US veterans hospitals.

Post war with the CIA After release, White joined the CIA in the Office of Operations, becoming head of the Foreign Broadcast Information Branch and by December 1950 Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Operations. He was promoted again to Assistant to the Deputy Director for Administration in 1952 and to Deputy Director for Administration in 1954 by DCI Allen Dulles. In 1964, DCI William Raborn made White Executive Director-Comptroller until his retirement in 1972.