Ernest E. West (2 Sep 1931 – May 2021 aged 89)
Ernest E. West (2 Sep 1931 – May 2021 aged 89)
Ernest E. West
BIRTH 2 Sep 1931
Russell, Greenup County, Kentucky, USA
DEATH 1 May 2021 (aged 89)
Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia, USA
BURIAL
Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast
Argillite, Greenup County, Kentucky, USA
PLOT SECTION 1 SITE 0484
Military personnel
Medal of Honor Recipient. He served in in Korea as a private first class with Company L, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
After his unit was ambushed near Sataeri on October 12, 1952, he ran through heavy fire to rescue his wounded commander, Captain George Gividen. As he was pulling the man to safety, three hostile soldiers attacked.
West shielded the commander with his body and killed the attackers with his rifle, suffering a wound which resulted in the loss of his eye in the process. Despite this injury, he remained on the field and assisted in the evacuation of other wounded men, at one point killing three more hostile soldiers.
Ernest E. West (1931 – 2021)
His Citation reads, “Pfc. West distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He voluntarily accompanied a contingent to locate and destroy a reported enemy outpost. Nearing the objective, the patrol was ambushed and suffered numerous casualties.
Observing his wounded leader lying in an exposed position, Pfc. West ordered the troops to withdraw, then braved intense fire to reach and assist him. While attempting evacuation, he was attacked by 3 hostile soldiers employing grenades and small-arms fire.
Quickly shifting his body to shelter the officer, he killed the assailants with his rifle, then carried the helpless man to safety. He was critically wounded and lost an eye in this action but courageously returned through withering fire and bursting shells to assist the wounded.
While evacuating 2 comrades, he closed with and killed 3 more of the foe. Pfc. West’s indomitable spirit, consummate valor, and intrepid actions inspired all who observed him, reflect the highest credit on himself, and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.”
Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh (1921-2021)
Ernest E. West (2 Sep 1931 – May 2021 aged 89)
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