Thomas D. White

Thomas D. White
US Air Force Photo
Birth name	Thomas Dresser White
Nickname(s)	Tom
Born	August 6, 1901 Walker, Minnesota
Died	December 22, 1965(1965-12-22) (aged 64) Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington D.C.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force United States Army
Years of service	1920–1961
Rank	General
Commands held	Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Fifth Air Force Seventh Air Force
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Air Medal (2)

General Thomas Dresser White (August 6, 1901 – December 22, 1965) was the fourth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.

White was born in Walker, Minnesota, in 1901. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy on July 2, 1920, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and immediately promoted to First Lieutenant.

Entering the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, White graduated in July 1921, and was assigned duty with the 14th Infantry Regiment at Fort Davis, Panama Canal Zone.

In September 1924, he entered Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He graduated from Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, in September 1925, and was assigned duty with the 99th Observation Squadron at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C..

In June 1927, White was assigned to duty as a student of the Chinese language in Peking, China. Four years later, he returned to the United States for duty at Headquarters Air Corps, Washington, D.C.

White was named assistant military attache for air to Russia in February 1934. A year later, he was appointed assistant military attache for air to Italy and Greece, with station at Rome.