John A. White, 89, a World War II Veteran, and a descendent of the founders of the State of Maryland, died of old age at the Asbury Retirement Home in Solomons, Maryland on April 5, 2009.

As a member of a limited number of B-17 crews early in World War II, he flew 55 missions, with the 15th Air Force, 301st Bombardment Group from North Africa and Italy. On one mission with an engine on fire, he had to go out on the wing in twenty degree below zero weather and feather the engine. On another flight, where almost all the crew were wounded and the pilot unconscious, he helped land the plane and saved the crew and the plane. Five of his missions were over the Polesti Oil Refineries.

He received four bronze Air Medals and ETO with 2 battle stars. He was also awarded the Presidential Citation II for Foreign Service.

A quiet man, he returned from the War, to become a pie salesman for Crusty Pie Company in Southeast Washington. In 1957, he joined the family business in Morningside, Maryland, just outside the gates of Andrews Air Force Base.

He was happily married for 57 years to Burnice Cutright White. He leaves behind two children, Norma and John White.

He was a member of Forest Memorial Methodist Church for fifty years, and enjoyed volunteering as a docent at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in later years.

Arrangements provided by Rausch Funeral Home.