While navigator on a cargo transport plane headed for Guadalcanal, Cpl. Westaby failed to hear the Captain's order to evacuate to the rear of the cabin. The plane was caught in a tropical storm and had been flying blind for several hours before being forced to ditch into the ocean. Their cargo was a 1600lb airplane engine which was breaking loose after the rough flying. Nurse 2nd Lt. Dorothy Shikoski was saw that Cpl. Westaby was in the path of the engine, and headed forward in the falling plane to warn him. Just as she reached him, the engine broke loose, pinning her in a corner and crushing Cpl. Westaby to death. Lt. Shikoski was awarded the Air Medal for her bravery trying to warn the navigator.
While navigator on a cargo transport plane headed for Guadalcanal, Cpl. Westaby failed to hear the Captain's order to evacuate to the rear of the cabin. The plane was caught in a tropical storm and had been flying blind for several hours before being forced to ditch into the ocean. Their cargo was a 1600lb airplane engine which was breaking loose after the rough flying. Nurse 2nd Lt. Dorothy Shikoski was saw that Cpl. Westaby was in the path of the engine, and headed forward in the falling plane to warn him. Just as she reached him, the engine broke loose, pinning her in a corner and crushing Cpl. Westaby to death. Lt. Shikoski was awarded the Air Medal for her bravery trying to warn the navigator.
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Illinois, Cpl US Marine Corps, World War II
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