Guy Stoye, friend of Bill Gardner who flew missions with Dick.
   Unfortunately, I never met Dick but Bill Gardner gave me copy of a poem Dick penned after a strafing mission.  I will try to include it here:
Bill Gardner, veteran fighter pilot who flew many combat missions in the Pacific theater during WW2, included in his autobiography, a poem penned by a buddy, Dick West,  who was with him when they made a strafing run on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
They each were flying Lockheed P-38, twin engine fighters as the 35th Fighter Squadron  swept in on the mission.
“On October 16 we flew to Cagayan airdrome on the  north-central coast of Mindanao on that attack.  We strafed a Sally bomber and staff car on the airfield and then cruised down the highway to Valencia.  The 35th destroyed fifty to sixty military vehicles along the road.  Then we came upon a troop of mounted cavalry.  Dick West and I were on this mission together.  Dick later wrote this poem”
One October day
   Through the broken clouds
Above the Island of Mindanao, 
   Four of us espied as pretty a scene
As war time would allow.

Thirty Japanese cavalry horses
   Stood idly by the road
With bright and shining saddles
   But nothing for their load.

The sound of Allison engines
   Had put their riders down
Who, being only sensible,
   Felt safer on the ground.

Now a purely military mind
   Would have  killed the horses sure,
But I was running this little deal
   And my mind just wasn't pure.

“Don't shoot the horses, boys!”, I said
   As we were going down.
“Their riders are in that arroyo, yonder-
   Let's kick some rocks around!”

Now sixteen  fifties and four cannon 
   Will raise a lot of dust
And create quite a ruckus
   When the bullets start to bust.

There were little Oriental men
   Dashing all about, 
Searching for some bigger rocks
   To get behind, no doubt.

By now the  pretty horses 
   were heading for the hills
As bullets ricocheted around
   amongst the rocks and rills.


We never knew the carnage
   That we had left behind,
But the  roundup of those horses
   Surely took some time.

When the roll is called for Heaven, 
   If I'm mentioned, I'll be thrilled;
One thing  I won't sweat at least, 
   A horse I've never killed.

Cindy,Pam and RT
My thoughts and prayers are with all you. I know you will miss your dad. you were lucky to have so many years with him. keep his memories alive in your heart.

Dear Cindy and RT, So many years have past but I will always remember the fun times we had at the "lake" with you and your mom and dad when we were young. My deepest sympathy to you both.

Dick will be extremely missed on Rockford road on Long Lake. He was my dear friend since we bought our house there 11 years ago. I will especially miss him. He enjoyed people so much and was always a kind man. The "Hotel" was his place to go to visit everyone. It wont be the same without him. I cant believe I wont hear "How's the love of my life" ever again. That was his greeting whenever he saw me.(He said that to all the girls). He will always hold a special place in my heart. RT and Cynthia I am sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man.   
Mary Fohr

Dear Cindy and RT

Our thoughts hearts and love are with you both at this difficult time. Losing a parent is hard may you have many happy memories of times together that will help you through these sad times. 

Though I never got to know your Dad real well, I know that he was a giving and caring person and enjoyed his family.  

Just know that we care and that we are here for you if there is any way we can be of any help to you.

We will have many great memory's of Dick, the trips and family times wil never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.  Fran and Bill

OBITUARY

Richard Ernest West

December 15, 1925 – November 17, 2012

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services