Robert Henry Westmoreland – Captain, United States Marine Corps

From a contemporary press report

Robert Westmoreland, 77, a retired Marine Corps captain who served as a combat photographer during World War II and the Korean conflict and who was active in civic organizations in Springfield, Virginia, since settling there 46 years ago, died of complications from diabetes April 22, 1999 at his home.

Captain Westmoreland, who was born in Kokomo, Indiana, served 25 years in the Marine Corps, mainly as a photographer. In World War II, he photographed the Marine invasion of Tarawa and Okinawa.

During the Korean War, where he also served as a combat photographer, he received a battlefield commission. After his military retirement in 1963, he worked for the U.S. Information Agency as chief of its international news service and later became a photographer for National Geographic Magazine and NASA. He also headed the Marine Corps audiovisual production unit at Quantico.

Captain Westmoreland was closely involved in civic affairs. He served as president of the Springfield Civic Association 11 times since the organization was founded in 1954. He also served as vice chairman of the Central Springfield Revitalization Council. A regular presence at meetings on development, he became a clearinghouse of information for civic activists.

His wife, Florence Westmoreland, died in 1986, and a daughter, Jean Kennedy, died in 1992. Survivors include a son, Robert B. Westmoreland of Springfield.


WESTMORELAND, ROBERT HENRY, USMC (Ret.)

At his home in Springfield, VA, on Thursday, April 22, 1999. He is survived by his son, Robert B. His wife, Florence, son, Scott, and daughter, Jean, preceded him in death. Friends may call at the Demaine  Springfield – Annandale Chapel, Backlick and Edsall Roads, Springfield, VA, on Tuesday, April 27, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 7 p.m., where The American Legion and VFW will hold a service at 7 p.m. Interment, Arlington National Cemetery, 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 1999.

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