Walter Drake Westmoreland (1920 - 1944)

Born 15 Jun 1920 in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Died 12 Oct 1944 at age 24 in Veszprém, Hungary

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Biography

Walter Westmoreland is Notable.

Walter Westmoreland, a U.S. military pilot during World War II, was one of the “Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen,” known for heroic combat service in support of Allied Forces in the European Theater. They served with the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, both largely Black units of the United States Army Air Forces.^[1]

Walter Drake Westmoreland, a son of William George Westmoreland and Olive White, was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1920.^[2] He was a nephew of Walter Francis White, who was later an Executive Secretary of the NAACP.^[3] Walter grew up in Atlanta, attended Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University), and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Unmarried and without children, he entered the Tuskegee Air Pilot Program, earning his wings in July of 1943. By December of that year he was deployed to Italy at Ramitelli air base with the 305th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group.

Walter Westmoreland is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 302nd Fighter Squadron 1943-1944
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

Walter Westmoreland was awarded the Purple Heart.

1 Lt Walter Westmoreland was Killed in Action during World War II.

On 13 October 1944, he was an escort on a strafing mission of an airdrome in Blechhammer, Germany, flying a P-51C fighter nicknamed "Dopey." Upon completion of their mission, a fellow flyer spotted his plane in a steep dive, with smoke pouring out of it. He said that the plane turned right, then left, and it appeared that Walter was attempting to land. He watched the plane skip along a field, hit a tree, flip over on its back, and skid about 100 yards into another tree. The witness, Capt. Melvin T. Jackson, then flew down to attempt to investigate the crash. The plane was lying on its back with one wing broken off, but no fire. Barraged by machine gun fire while attempting to search, he had no choice but to leave. The site of the crash was just north of Veszprem near Lake Balaton in Hungary.^[4] Walter's remains were recovered and buried in an American European cemetery, before later being returned to the U.S. at the request of his family. He is buried at Southview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.^[3][5]

Walter's first cousin, Frederick D. Funderburg, was also a Tuskegee airman; he went missing in action two months after Walter.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.fold3.com/memorial/637459807/westmoreland-walter-drake-1st-lt
2. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947"
   The National Archives at Fort Worth, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Georgia, 10/16/1940 - 03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2238 #4122940
   Name: Walter Drake Westmoreland; Gender: Male; Age: 21; Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head); Birth Date: 15 Jun 1920; Residence Place: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, USA; Registration Date: 1 Jul 1941; Registration Place: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, USA
   Household Members, Age, Relationship:
   Walter Drake Westmoreland 21 Self (Head).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90346317/walter-drake-westmoreland: accessed 16 January 2024), memorial page for 1LT Walter Drake Westmoreland (15 Jun 1920–12 Oct 1944), Find A Grave: Memorial #90346317, citing South View Cemetery, Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by Curtis Jackson (contributor 46552524). Includes biography and photos.
4. ↑ Missing Air Crew Reports of the U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES, 1942–1947, #9087, fiche 3339, pg 3.
5. ↑ Photo of his grave in Atlanta.

See also:

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia; Page: 21A; Enumeration District: 0059; FHL microfilm: 2340096
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #2301900
  Walter Drake Westmoreland (9), single son, in household of W G Westmoreland (53) in 375 Cain Street, Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia, USA. Born in Georgia.
• 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1940; Census Place: Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia; Roll: m-t0627-00733; Page: 62A; Enumeration District: 160-232
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2442 #56131659
  Walter D Westmorland (19), single son, in household of Chassie Tutt (27) in Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia. Born in Georgia.