Captain Richard L. West
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 8th Fighter Group, 35th Fighter Squadron
P-38 Lightning pilot & double ace
Background
Richard L. West was born July 12, 1921 to parents John Marion West Jr. and Flo Ellen (née Lightner) West in Trenton, Missouri,
graduated high school and completed one year of college. Prewar, he worked as a stenographers and typists. On February 27, 1942 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as a private with serial number 17064205. He underwent flight training and earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-667125.
Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS) as a fighter pilot.
Aerial victory claims
West was officially credited with fourteen aerial victories, all flying the P-38 Lightning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).
| Victory |
Date |
Location |
Aircraft |
Notes on claim |
| 1 |
09/22/43 |
|
|
First aerial victory claim. |
| 2 |
09/22/43 |
|
|
Second aerial victory claim. |
| 3 |
11/15/43 |
|
|
Third aerial victory claim. |
| 4 |
11/15/43 |
|
|
Fourth aerial victory claim. |
| 5 |
11/15/43 |
|
|
Fifth aerial victory claim, became an ace. |
| 6 |
11/15/43 |
|
|
Sixth aerial victory claim. |
| 7 |
06/16/44 |
|
|
Seventh aerial victory claim. |
| 8 |
07/27/44 |
|
|
Eighth aerial victory claim. |
| 9 |
11/01/44 |
|
|
Ninth aerial victory claim. |
| 10 |
11/01/44 |
|
|
Tenth aerial victory claim became a "double ace". |
| 11 |
11/06/44 |
|
|
Eleventh aerial victory claim. |
| 12 |
11/06/44 |
|
|
Twelfth aerial victory claim. |
| 13 |
11/14/44 |
|
|
Thirteenth aerial victory claim. |
| 14 |
11/15/44 |
|
|
Fourteenth aerial victory claim. |
 Aircraft Assigned
P-38J 42-103921 [sic] assigned to West.
Awards
West earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with two oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his actions November 15, 1943.
Memorials
West died May 25, 2025 at age 83. He is buried at Saint Columban Catholic Cemetery in Chillicothe, Missouri.
References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard L. West
USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: West, Richard L. page 198 (PDF page 205)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) pages 54 (profile 35), 95 (profile 35 description)
Hall of Valor - Richard Lee West (award citations)
FindAGrave - CPT Richard Lee “Dick” West (photo, grave photo)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) by John Stanaway page 89 (ace list)
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