Royal Lee White

Born in Liberty, Mississippi on May 27, 1920, Royal’s 30 year naval career spanned 30 years from July 24, 1941 to August 1, 1941, with tours of duty worldwide from World War II, Korea, to Da Nang, Vietnam.

Enlisting with only a 3rd grade education, and at a time when Blacks were limited to non-combat roles, Royal took the bull by the horns in his assignment as ship Messmate, and rode it all the way to becoming SDCM E-9, the highest rank possible for an enlisted service member. During his distinguished Military career, Royal was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the Bronze Star, the Navy Unit Commendation, the World War II Victory Medal, the American & Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, & the Vietnam Service & Campaign Medals.

With a growing family to support, Royal chose to put his feet on dry land by serving the last phases of his career at Naval Station Newport R.I., then relocated his family to San Diego on March 1st, 1965 to serve at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego (now Marine Base) March 1st, 1965. He took care of unfinished business along the way, by getting his Elementary and High School Equivalency Diplomas.

After his retirement, Royal chose to continue serving his country by working 20 years as a Civil Service Commissary Store Worker at North Island Naval Air Station in Coronado.

Besides his love and devotion to the Lord, his other loves included fishing, bowling, and the Padres, with his keeping the same 2 season ticket seats at Qualcomm Stadium from 1970, until the Padres relocated to the newly created Petco Park in 2004.

And though Royal was in the advanced stages of Progressive Dementia when he passed on January 16th, he still maintained that spirited twinkle in his eyes, that served both him, his country, and the Lord so well.