EDMONTON – The City of Edmonton is paying tribute to a local veteran of a World War II special forces military unit nicknamed the “Devil’s Brigade.”
On Tuesday morning, Edmonton’s Maurice White was recognized for his role in the joint American-Canadian unit.
“It’s pretty overwhelming. It’s overpowering. I don’t really feel that I’m deserving of all the attention that I’m getting, but I’m still very proud of the fact that I’ve been invited here,” explains White
WATCH: Canadian WW2 veterans honoured
White is one of about 15 surviving Canadians of the unit, which was nicknamed by the Germans as the “Black Devils” after smearing shoe polish across their faces and conducting their missions at night.
White first attempted to enlist in the Canadian military when he was 17, but was denied because of his age. He was eventually accepted and went on to fight in hundreds of battles in Europe.
He remembers one incident in particular while serving in Italy in which he was nearly killed.
“I still can’t explain it…as if someone had grabbed me and pulled me away. But as soon as I moved a burst of machine gun bullets went right where I was standing. These things you don’t forget.”
READ MORE: Surviving members of Devil’s Brigade receive Congressional Gold Medal
In February, the entire Devil’s Brigade unit was awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C. The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
Mayor Don Iveson recognized White’s achievements as a Protocol item at the start of Tuesday’s city council meeting.
White hopes these events help young Canadians have a better understanding of the country’s history.
“They have to know the suffering and what we went through to making a better life that they can live now.”
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