World War II Honoree

Floyd Westlake

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Hometown Unknown, Wyoming

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

Relationship

Relationship Not Determined

ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE IN 1942. SERVED INITIALLY IN THE AMERICAN THEATER FOR BASIC INDIVIDUAL TRAINING AND ADVANCED MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) TRAINING. SHIPPED OVERSEAS AND SERVED IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE 13TH AIR FORCE ('JUNGLE AIR FORCE') STATIONED IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, PRIMARILY AT THE MUNDA AIR BASE IN THE NEW GEORGIA ISLANDS. HE WORKED AS A WELDER IN THE BASE REPAIR SHOP AT MUNDA REPAIRING BATTLE-DAMAGED PLANES. HE AND HIS FELLOW AIRMEN OFTEN MADE TRIPS TO THE BASE JUNK YARD TO SALVAGE REPAIR PARTS AND OTHER MATERIAL. HE AND HIS BUDDIES FABRICATED A SALVAGE 'JEEP' OUT OF SCRAPS TO USE FOR THEIR PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. THEY NAMED THEIR CREATION 'MUNDA MAID.' AWARDED THE TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION BADGE WITH ‘AIRPLANE WELDER’ QUALIFICATION BAR. ALSO AWARDED THE GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND ISSUED THE HONORABLE SERVICE LAPEL BUTTON.