World War II Honoree

Mike E. Westrich

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Bright, Indiana

Honored By

Barbara A. Westrich, Kathy, Vella, Pam, Mike, Ken & Mark

Relationship

Wife, Daughters & Sons

SERVED AS A B-24 LIBERATOR BOMBER BELLY BALL TURRET GUNNER IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 451ST BOMB GROUP, 726TH BOMB SQUADRON AND FLEW COMBAT MISSIONS OUT OF GIOIA DEL COLLE, SAN PANCRAZIO AND CASTELLUCCIO, ITALY. WHILE ON A COMBAT MISSION OVER CZECHOSLOVAKIA OCTOBER 31, 1944, HIS AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN BY GERMAN FIGHTERS. HE SUCCESSFULLY BAILED OUT OF HIS CRIPPLED BOMBER, RESCUED BY FRIENDLY CZECHOSLOVAKIANS AND EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO THE ALLIED FORCES NOVEMBER 4, 1944. HIS BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS WERE NORTHERN APENNINES, PO VALLEY, RHINELAND, CENTRAL EUROPE AND AIR COMBAT BALKANS. AWARDED THE PURPLE HEART WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, AIR MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE OAK LEAF CLUSTER, ARMY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 1 BRONZE SERVICE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND HIS AIR CREW AND GUNNERY WINGS. ENTERED THE SERVICE SEPTEMBER 18, 1943 AND HONORABLY DISCHARGED OCTOBER 23, 1945.