During the night 18/19 July 1944, 2 Canadian Corps made an assault crossing of the River Orne. As part of the Corps plan, Lieutenant White and his platoon were to construct a Class 9 bridge over the Orne Canal at Caen. As it was necessary to get supporting arms across the river to assist the attack, the completion of this bridge had considerable effect on the success of the Cops plan. Lieutenant White remained at his post for over seven hours directing the operation, and although harassed by enemy fire, inspired his men by his coolness and ability and successfully completed this most difficult operation in sufficient time to enable the leading infantry to reorganize with their supporting arms.

George Alexander White was born in Trenton, ON. After university, he moved to Timmins, ON where he was employed as an engineer prior to his enrolling to the Royal Canadian Army Engineers with the rank of 2^nd lieutenant on 9 May 1942. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant 5 December 1942. and proceeded overseas 23 March 1943 and was assigned to the 29^th Field Company. One of his biggest bridging tasks was a 520-foot floating Bailey bridge over the Seine on 27 August and open before midnight that same day. He continued to lead No. 1 platoon throughout the war completing assault crossings and bridging tasks through France, Belgium and the Netherlands.