Westphall elected director emeritus

Walter Westphall has been elected director emeritus of the David Westphall Veterans Foundation by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Westphall co-founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Angel Fire, along with his parents, Dr. Victor Westphall and Mrs. Jeanne Westphall.

The Memorial was founded in July 1968 following the death of his brother, Marine 1st Lt. Victor David Westphall, who was killed in action in South Vietnam on May 22, 1968.

Walter was a board member of the Westphall Foundation and its previous incarnations from the beginning.

The Foundation donated the Memorial to the State of New Mexico in November 2005. It is operated by the state Department of Veterans Services. 

Walter served on active duty in the Air Force for 9 years. As an enlisted man, he served as a weapons release systems mechanic on F-105 and F-4 aircraft. Walter was commissioned in the Air Force through the Airman Education and Commissioning Program.

He became an Air Force pilot in October 1969 and was assigned to duty as a KC-135 pilot. His assignments included TDYs to Southeast Asia in the fall of 1970 and the fall of 1972, which involved air refueling of B-52s, RC-135s, F-l05s, and F-4s.

Following military service, he worked as a financial institution examiner and retired from federal government service in 1993.

Walter has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Denver. Walter and his wife, Dorothy, have a daughter, Kimberly, and a son, David.  

“There have been a lot of painful experiences given the difficulties in creating and perpetuating the Memorial, but the years since ownership by the State of New Mexico, starting in 2005, have brought a lot of relief, even joy,” Walter said.

“My parents died over 20 years ago and did not live to see the project free from financial stress and administrative turmoil.

“That is sad, but I also realize that on a daily basis, they were able to witness how their efforts were appreciated by veterans and the public alike,” Walter said. “I was blessed to be a part of a project that ensured Vietnam veterans, including my brother, are honored rather than forgotten.”

Lt. Walter Westphall stands beside a T-38 jet trainer at Craig Air Force Base, Ala., in May 1969.