The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SGT David Lee West, RA15288301, who died in the service of his country on June 8th, 1951 in South Korea. The cause of death was listed as Seriously WIA by missile-Died of wounds (FECOM). At the time of his death David was 21 years of age. He was from Cabin Creek, West Virginia. David's Military Occupation Specialty was 1812-Heavy Weapons Infantry Leader.
The decorations earned by SGT David Lee West include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, 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.
Sergeant West was a member of the 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was seriously wounded by the enemy in South Korea on June 6, 1951 and died of those wounds on June 8, 1951. Sergeant West was awarded 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.
I was stationed with David L. West in Camp Otsu, Japan in 1949. David was the best Christian man I have ever known in my lifetime. He was always found reading his Bible. We were in the same platoon, Sergeant Martin was our platoon sergeant. We were in Heavy Mortar Co., 25th Inf Div, 35th Inf Regt. CWO David V. Hendry, USA (Ret)
David West was the brother I never knew in his short life. I was only four years old when he died and I only remember his funeral. My other siblings and my late Mother spoke of David with warmth, love, and pride. Apparently David was one of those special persons who touched the lives of all who knew him. (Barbara A West)
My brother, David, was the ideal big brother. He was kind, caring, and always interested in the welfare of his family members. He was extremely religious and planned to take training to be a missionary to the Korean people. He saw their poverty and wanted to do anything he could to help their situation. He was one in a million. I can only wonder what would be the extent of the good he would have done had he survived this useless war. Will be never learn -- war is HELL! (Hannah Bowman)
Services for David Lee West, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard West of Cabin Creek, who was killed in action June 8 in Korea, will be held at 1 p. in. Sunday at Chelyan Methodist Church. Rev. H. E. Crowder will officiate with burial in Montgomery Memorial Park at London. Military
graveside rites will be conducted by the West Virginia Military District Headquarters of South Charleston and American Legion Post No. 80, of Cabin Creek.
The body is at the Pryor Mortuary at East Bank and will be taken lo the home of the parents Saturday afternoon. It will be taken to the church an hour before service. Active pallbearers will be Carl Mitchell, Gordon Swartz. William Brabbin. Earl McConniclc. Raymond
Elkins and Edward Cordell.
At the time of his death Sgt. West would have been eligible for
rotation to the United States within the near future. He volunteered for duty with the Army, Jan. 4. 1949 for a two-year period and was
frozen in service when his tour of duty expired.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in October
1950. He was a graduate and popular athlete of East Bank High School, and was captain of the 1947 basketball team.
Sgt. West was an active member of Chelyan Methodist church before
entering the service.
Surviving besides his parents are: three sisters: Mrs Jack Noel of Pratt, Hannah and Barbara West at home; two brothers, Charles of St. Albans and Jerry at home; his grandmother, Mrs Julia West of Sylvester and Mrs Catherine Creasey of Cabin Creek.
Burial: Montgomery Memorial Park, London, Kanawha County, West Virginia, USA
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