Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Richard
Lee
West
July 12, 1921

–

May 25, 2005

Born:

Trenton

, 

Missouri

Home:

Chillicothe

, 

Missouri

Buried: 

Chillicothe

, 

Missouri

Cemetery:

St. Columbian Catholic Cemetery

During World War II, Richard West became a U.S. Army Air Forces DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 14 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    35th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 14 (January 3, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Lee West (ASN: 0-667125), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane of the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1944. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant West, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    35th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Lee West (ASN: 0-667125), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    35th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 15, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 23 (March 23, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Lee West (ASN: 0-667125), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 15 November 1943, in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. On that date, in aerial combat, First Lieutenant West shot down two Japanese Bombers and two Japanese Fighters in a single engagement. First Lieutenant West’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    35th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Lee West (ASN: 0-667125), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    35th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    8th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Richard Lee West (ASN: 0-667125), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.