Colonel David Angus White was commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School class 4-51 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma on October 1951. His first duty assignment was as a Forward Observer, 456th Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division.

His subsequent duty assignments were: Battery Executive Officer, 145th Field Artillery Battalion, X Corps; 8th Army Korea as a Battery Officer and Aerial Observer; 386th Field Artillery Battalion; Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company; 3rd Brigade, 104th Infantry Training Division; Commander, 3rd Battalion, 104th Division Artillery; and Commander of Terminal Bravo, Unites States Army Reserve Control Group.

His military education consists of: Officer Candidate School, Parachutists School, Jump School, Field Artillery Advance Course, Air Defense (Nikes/Hercules) Course, Senior Officer Surface-to-Air Missile Course, Intelligence Advance Course, Division Artillery Staff Officer Course, Command and General Staff Residence Course, Armed Forces Staff College, and Transportation Advance Course.

His military awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Component Achievement Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with 3 stars), United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Parachutists Badge, and Army Aircrew Badge.