Willcox in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

In Memory of Lt. Robert G. Westlund

United States Air Force

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

1. In Memory of Lt. Robert G. Westlund Marker

Inscription. On 30 December, 1951, during a routine training flight from Merced, California, to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Lt. Robert G. Westlund lost his life when his F-51 "Mustang" fighter plane crashed near Sunset Peak in the Galiuro Mountains northwest of Wilcox.

A combat veteran of the European theatre of Would War II, Lt. Westlund was dedicated officer and a decorated fighter pilot. The wreckage was removed from the mountainside in 1991, one day another "Mustang" will take to the skies.

This memorial is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Westlund and the freedoms and the ideals of this nation for which he fought, flew, and made the ultimate sacrifice.

[Photo of Lt. Westlund]
F-708
Lt. Robert G. Westlund, circa 1951

"For the Cause of Freedom He Gave His Life"

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is December 30, 1951.

Location. 32° 16.333′ N, 109° 50.462′ W. Marker is in Willcox, Arizona, in Cochise County. Marker is on North Circle I Road north of Fort Grant Road (Arizona Route 186), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 North Circle I Road, Willcox AZ 85643, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. The Willcox Women's Community Center (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Schwertner House, 1880 (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Toggery, 1925 (approx. 1½ miles away); Willcox Commercial Hotel, 1916 (approx. 1½ miles away); Rex Allen Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Palace Saloon and Pool Hall, 1905 (approx. 1½ miles away); Headquarters Saloon (approx. 1½ miles away); Railroad Avenue (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Willcox.

Close Up of Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner

2. Close Up of Photo Displayed on Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

3. In Memory of Lt. Robert G. Westlund Marker

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, March 3, 2010

4. In Memory of Lt. Robert G. Westlund Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,193 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.