While millions of fans mourn the beloved television star Betty White, who passed away on Friday at the age of 99, the US Army paid tribute to the comedian for one of her earliest and most significant roles as a volunteer during World War II.
The military branch released a statement on Friday about the death of White and her association with the armed services.
The Army said in a statement that they were sad about Betty White's passing. She was an amazing actress and also a member of the American Women's Voluntary Services during WWII. A legend on and off the screen.
White put her larger ambitions on hold during World War II in order to work with the American Women's Voluntary Services in 1941.
Female volunteers were sent to take on roles such as ambulance and truck driving.
White told Cleveland magazine in 2010 that her assignment was to drive a truck of supplies to the barracks in the Hollywood Hills while attending dances for departing troops.
"It was a strange time and out of balance with everything, which I'm sure the young people are going through now," White told the magazine.
The U.S. Army posted a message on December 31, 2011.
White was well-known for her roles on game shows such as "Password" and "The Hollywood Squares" and also for her roles on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."
She gained a huge following among younger Americans because of her roles in "The Proposal" and "Saturday Night Live."
Many younger Americans have been drawn to White because of the old episodes of "Golden Girls."
White would have been 100 years old on January 17.
White told the magazine that being born a cockeyed optimist was the source of her sunny disposition.
She told the publication that she got it from her mom. I always find the positive.
White joked that her longevity came from her diet.
I try not to be green. I think it's working, she said.
