SGM Loner B Westmoreland Memorial Page-Obituary

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Published By: Chattanooga Times Free Press 9 March 2008

Retired CSM Loner B. Westmoreland passed away Friday, March 7, 2008.

He was born Aug. 28, 1919, in Greenbriar, Tenn. He entered military service July 8, 1937, at Fort Oglethorpe to be a horse cavalryman with the 6th Cavalry. Having earned his spurs as a cavalry trooper, he remained with the 6th Cavalry during the long development process leading up to America’s World War II commitment of forces and the transition from horse cavalry to armored cavalry. He first saw action at Normandy while assigned to the 6th Cavalry Group, A Troop, 28th Cavalry, Recon Squadron.

Retired CSM Westmoreland performed critical reconnaissance for Patton’s 3rd Army and participated in action at Metz, the Battle of the Bulge, and a number of other actions of historic significance. He remained with the 6th Cavalry from Normandy to the Rhine River, ending his advance in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Continuing the tradition of horse-mounted service, retired CSM Westmoreland served as one of the last U.S. mounted cavalrymen by remaining in Europe from 1945 until 1949 for duty with the 6th Constabulary Regiment. He led about 22 others patrolling 30 miles of border between Germany and Czechoslovakia opposite Russian guards at the very beginning of the Cold War.

After returning to the U.S., retired CSM Westmoreland volunteered for Airborne School and Ranger training and subsequently served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1949-1951. He was then assigned to the 5th Airborne Infantry Ranger Company as company first sergeant attached to the 25th Infantry Division, and served once again under fire in the Korean Conflict. After disbanding of the Rangers, he was assigned to the 187th Airborne Infantry Combat Team and served with that unit until the pacification of the POW camp on the island of Koje Do. While in Korea, he was wounded in hand-to-hand combat and awarded the Purple Heart.

In 1951, retired CSM Westmoreland returned to the U.S. and joined the 77th Special Forces Group. Assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group in 1961, he was selected for the distinct honor of serving as a member of the Honor Guard for the Inauguration of President Kennedy. He then deployed to Vietnam in 1962, where he served as an adviser to the Montagnard, returning to Okinawa in 1963. He returned to the U.S. to the 7th Special Forces Group in 1964 and was sent to the Dominican Republic as the Special Forces group sergeant major for combat action there. After serving as weapons instructor at the University of Mississippi, he retired after 30 years of active service on March 31, 1968.

Following his retirement, retired CSM Westmoreland quickly began another career of service, establishing Junior ROTC in 1969 at Red Bank High School in Chattanooga. Within three years the unit had achieved the largest JROTC student participation in the nation and had repeatedly excelled in every auditable category in annual inspections. Retired CSM Westmoreland was instrumental in this success, providing young minds a sterling example of leadership and an understanding of the esprit of cavalry and special forces and the soldier’s commitment to service. He retired from the Hamilton County school system in 1982, but still would not rest on his laurels.

Always a very active member of the 6th Cavalry Association, retired CSM Westmoreland made what may prove to be his longest-lasting contribution to the fine traditions of cavalry and armor and showed exceptional selfless service with the modest opening in 1981 of the 6th Cavalry Museum at Fort Oglethorpe, the original home of the “Fighting 6th”. Over the next several years, he worked with a very small group of former troopers to create and establish authentic exhibits that would preserve the fine heritage of the “Fighting 6th”. Often fashioning exhibits by hand, and using many of his own mementos to create authenticity, retired CSM Westmoreland subsequently served as joint curator of the growing activity until 2004 when poor health finally prevented further service. Through lean times, he and two fellow troopers sought support from the Army, the community and friends of the 6th Cavalry, and today the museum is a widely supported and a warmly embraced part of the history of Fort Oglethorpe and nearby Chickamauga with a full-time paid civilian curator and corporate sponsorship.

Retired CSM Westmoreland's decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (1st OLC), Good Conduct Award (6th Award), American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with four stars), World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany-Japan), National Defense Service Medal (with one OLC), Korean Service Medal (with three stars), United Nations Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (with one star), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem (with one OLC), Korean Distinguished Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman Badge (2d Award), Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Jungle Expert, Vietnam Parachutist Badge, Chinese Parachutist Badge. He also holds the Order of St. Maurice, Primicerius level; and was recently presented the Order of St. George, Silver Medallion — these two awards are recognition by his professional peers for his extraordinary service to infantry and cavalry.

CSM Loner Boon Westmoreland, “Papa” to his granddaughters and “Wes” to his friends, will always be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his good humor, his strong sense of duty and his dedication to the traditions of selfless service, high esprit and mission accomplishment that are characteristic of Cavalry and Special Forces. Retired CSM Westmoreland is survived by his wife of 65 years, Virginia Lee Westmoreland; his only child, Shirley Westmoreland Collins and husband, Tony; and two granddaughters, Amanda and Megan Collins.

Additionally, he is survived by five nieces, Aloma Miller, Naomi McDonald, and Jacqueline Joiner, of Alabama, and Pat Baggett and Sue Hankins, of Tennessee; 10 nephews, Tim and David Miller, Bud Westmoreland, Steve, John, David and Mike Etheredge, all residing in Alabama, and Bill, Gene and Henry Westmoreland, of Tennessee. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Marjorie Etheredge; and about 50 grand-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Home chapel. Interment will follow in Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Forces Group Association, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 16003, Chattanooga, TN 37415.

Condolences may be sent at www.heritagefh.com.

The family will receive friends 2-8 p.m. Monday at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.

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