He was born Mervil Lee Westfall and called Lee all of his life. He was adopted by his Uncle Arthur Short (his mother's brother) Arthur Ernest Short
and his wife Margaret Anderson Short
Lee's mother, Miriam Short Westfall died at his birth due to cancer not childbirth. Lee went on to become an Eagle Scout and then Scoutmaster in Bishop. He joined the Marines and served during the VietNam War as a tailgunner on a medical helicopter. It was shot out from under the crew by the VietCong. His friend had just taken over the position Lee would have been in when it went down and his friend was killed. Lee always felt like it should have been him as his friend had a family. Lee was exposed to Agent Orange and the family believes it contributed to his early death. Lee is buried in Bishop, Nueces County, Texas. His adopted parents are buried there too.
Note: The last of Lee's adopted siblings, Thomas Edward "Buck" Short died 12 September 2016 and his findagrave.com memorial number is #170007526, Buck was An AirForce Veteran.
and his wife Margaret Anderson Short
Lee's mother, Miriam Short Westfall died at his birth due to cancer not childbirth. Lee went on to become an Eagle Scout and then Scoutmaster in Bishop. He joined the Marines and served during the VietNam War as a tailgunner on a medical helicopter. It was shot out from under the crew by the VietCong. His friend had just taken over the position Lee would have been in when it went down and his friend was killed. Lee always felt like it should have been him as his friend had a family. Lee was exposed to Agent Orange and the family believes it contributed to his early death. Lee is buried in Bishop, Nueces County, Texas. His adopted parents are buried there too.
Note: The last of Lee's adopted siblings, Thomas Edward "Buck" Short died 12 September 2016 and his findagrave.com memorial number is #170007526, Buck was An AirForce Veteran.
He was born Mervil Lee Westfall and called Lee all of his life. He was adopted by his Uncle Arthur Short (his mother's brother) Arthur Ernest Short
and his wife Margaret Anderson Short
Lee's mother, Miriam Short Westfall died at his birth due to cancer not childbirth. Lee went on to become an Eagle Scout and then Scoutmaster in Bishop. He joined the Marines and served during the VietNam War as a tailgunner on a medical helicopter. It was shot out from under the crew by the VietCong. His friend had just taken over the position Lee would have been in when it went down and his friend was killed. Lee always felt like it should have been him as his friend had a family. Lee was exposed to Agent Orange and the family believes it contributed to his early death. Lee is buried in Bishop, Nueces County, Texas. His adopted parents are buried there too.
Note: The last of Lee's adopted siblings, Thomas Edward "Buck" Short died 12 September 2016 and his findagrave.com memorial number is #170007526, Buck was An AirForce Veteran.
and his wife Margaret Anderson Short
Lee's mother, Miriam Short Westfall died at his birth due to cancer not childbirth. Lee went on to become an Eagle Scout and then Scoutmaster in Bishop. He joined the Marines and served during the VietNam War as a tailgunner on a medical helicopter. It was shot out from under the crew by the VietCong. His friend had just taken over the position Lee would have been in when it went down and his friend was killed. Lee always felt like it should have been him as his friend had a family. Lee was exposed to Agent Orange and the family believes it contributed to his early death. Lee is buried in Bishop, Nueces County, Texas. His adopted parents are buried there too.
Note: The last of Lee's adopted siblings, Thomas Edward "Buck" Short died 12 September 2016 and his findagrave.com memorial number is #170007526, Buck was An AirForce Veteran.
Inscription
Sgt US Marine Corps VietNam
Gravesite Details
With deepest appreciation to LR Virgil for sponsoring Lee's memorial and thanks to those who leave a "flower"
