WHITE, LUCAS

Lucas T. White was born August 8, 1978 in Yakima, but spent his childhood in Pendleton, Ore., before moving with his family to White Swan, Washington, on the Yakama Indian Reservation, where he graduated from high school in 1998. 

He was an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon with family members who belong to both the Umatilla and the Yakama Nation. 

Lucas an outdoorsman who loved to fish and go camping, and an avid snowboarder. Of Native American descent, he tried to stay true to his traditions and would often drive miles to attend Native American Powwows and other spiritual ceremonies.   

According to Lucas’s widow, Jennifer “he was just an all-around great guy, he was very loving, very kind; he always put other people before he put himself. He always wanted to make sure his family was taken care of, no matter what the circumstances." 

SGT White had been scheduled to ship out to boot camp Sept. 13, 2001, however, the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, pushed that date back a few days.  

SGT White deployed on a 10-month tour in Afghanistan in 2003, and re-enlisted in the Army in September 2004. One of the terms of his re-enlisting was the ability to get the duty station of his choice, which he selected Fort Lewis because he wanted to come home to Washington. As a result, he was he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA.  

In June 2006, SGT White deployed to Iraq with his current unit as a Stryker patrol leader. On 06 November 2006, while on patrol, his unit was ambushed by small-weapons fire and his armored Stryker vehicle he was in hit an improvised explosive device, resulting in SGT White being killed in action. 

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge and Expert Infantry Badge. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers SGT Lucas T. White for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.