Westendorf Is October Veteran Of The MonthA Korean War-era United States Air Force veteran who also has been married to his wife for going on 68 years is the Kosciusko County Veteran of the Month for October 2021.
New County Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell presented the award to the honoree, Joseph Neil Westendorf, at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
“Joseph Neil Westendorf is a remarkable individual,” McDowell said.
Westendorf was born April 22, 1930, in Bluffton and was one of five children. After high school, he joined the USAF in 1951. He completed his basic training in Texas, and then was stationed in California, assigned to the 93rd Motor Vehicle Squadron. Westendorf worked on planes, vehicles, etc.
“He was the, in my mind, in my career, the unsung hero making things happen,” McDowell said.
Westendorf served four years in the USAF honorably as a staff sergeant, serving proudly during the Korea War-era, McDowell stated.
After Westendorf returned home to Fort Wayne, he ended up owning two gas service stations, followed by working at a refinery. He retired in 2018.
Joseph has been married to the love of his life, Dorothy, since 1953. They have nine children, 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Joe and Dorothy live in Oswego.
Westendorf said, “It is an honor to accept this with everybody.”
He said he kind of felt guilty that he enjoyed his four years of service at the time.
“I want to thank everybody very, very much. It’s quite an honor for me,” he said.
