The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, CPL Virgil Earl Westlund, US55040901, who died in the service of his country on September 7th, 1951 in North Korea, Hills 717-682. The cause of death was listed as KIA. At the time of his death Virgil was 25 years of age. He was from Colona, Illinois. Virgil's Military Occupation Specialty was 4745-Light Weapons Infantryman.

The decorations earned by CPL Virgil Earl Westlund include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

---

Corporal Westlund was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on September 7, 1951. His remains were not recovered. For his leadership and valor, Corporal Westlund was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.