La Verne A. White

Foil: 1 Panel: 2 Column: 4 Line: 60

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Richard N. White

LaVerne A. White, “Verne” is a retired Pan American Airlines pilot. As a young aviator he helped Pan Am open the world for commercial aviation.
He worked for Pan Am for 39 years, starting as a mechanic in San Francisco in 1938. In 1941 he was made Chief of Maintenance for Pan Am in Auckland NZ. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7th, 1941, Captain Robert Ford was in route from San Francisco to Auckland NZ flying Clipper NC 18602, a Boeing B-314. When he arrived in New Zealand it was decided that the plane should continue on around the world because it was too dangerous to return to San Francisco.
Verne White loaded the plane with critical parts and equipment, including a spare engine, and joined the crew that was setting out on a new route without the benefit of existing Pan Am bases. Verne’s expertise proved essential when the number three engine blew a cylinder climbing out of Trincomalie Ceylon. Verne was able to drill out, and replace 12 hold down studs, and repair the engine so that the flight could continue its historic flight as the first commercial flight around the world.
In 1942 LaVerne White joined the flight crew and became a Flight Engineer. In 1958 he became a Pilot Flight Engineer as three man crews began flying the 707 jets. In the course of his career Verne White flew the following aircraft: PBM, martin M130, Boeing B-314, Douglas DC 4, DC 6, DC 7, Lockheed Constellation, Boeing 707 and Boeing 747. LaVerne A. White – a true American pioneer.