FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Ernest E West ~ 09 September 2019

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Ernest E. West
All info and photos from this website

           

Ernest E. West (born September 2, 1931) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 12, 1952.

He was raised in an orphanage at the Methodist Children's Home in Versailles, Kentucky. He returned to visit the home a few years after receiving the Medal of Honor.

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On October 12, West was one of sixteen Americans who volunteered for a mission to try to capture some of the enemy for interrogation. Moving as silently as possible through a valley separating the U.S. and Chinese positions, they came to a rise leading up to the enemy bunkers.  Half of the group stayed behind with machine guns. The others began to climb up toward the enemy, with West walking ahead as the point man. Suddenly the Chinese began to roll grenades down onto them. One passed between West’s legs and exploded near his lieutenant, who was just behind him. Two other Americans also went down. Realizing that his contingent had walked into an ambush, West ordered those who were not hurt to retreat. Then he ran through heavy small-arms fire and exploding grenades to his lieutenant, who was badly hurt. Using his body to shield the helpless officer from flying shrapnel, West picked him up and started down the hill. Four enemy soldiers came at him, but he killed them with his rifle. West made it back to the U.S. position with the lieutenant, then returned for another wounded American, killing eight more of the enemy along the way. As he dragged the second man to safety, a grenade exploded near him, deadening his left arm and sending shrapnel into his eye. Bleeding heavily, West returned for another wounded comrade and got him down the hill.

West spent the next ten months in the hospital, most of it at Walter Reed. Doctors tried to save his eye by positioning a large powerful magnet over it to draw out the shrapnel, but the procedure didn’t work and the eye had to be removed. Finally released from the service, West returned to Kentucky. It was hard for him not to feel that he was still at war. On his first day back at his old job on the railroad, a co-worker came up behind him and clapped him on the shoulder. West instinctively turned and wrestled the man down. He quickly apologized: “Sorry, but you’ll have to give me a month or so. Just talk to me, don’t touch me.”

Early in 1954, West got a telegram informing him that he was to receive the Medal of Honor. His railroad arranged to make a special stop in his hometown of Russell, where he boarded a private car that carried him to Washington, D.C. After putting the medal around his neck on January 12, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower said to West, “In addition to this decoration, you have an old soldier’s admiration."

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Citation

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company L, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Sataeri, Korea, October 12, 1952

Entered service at: Wurtland Ky. Born: September 2, 1931, Russell, Kentucky

G.O. No.: 7, January 29, i954

Citation:

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.

 

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[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

September 9

When We Know Who Wins

Bible in a Year : Proverbs 6–7; 2 Corinthians 2

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Revelation 21:4

My supervisor is a huge fan of a certain college basketball team. This year, they won the national championship, so another coworker texted him congratulations. The only problem was my boss hadn’t yet had a chance to watch the final game! He was frustrated, he said, knowing the outcome beforehand. But, he admitted, at least when he watched the game he wasn’t nervous when the score stayed close to the end. He knew who won!

We never really know what tomorrow will hold. Some days can feel mundane and tedious, while other days are filled with joy. Still other times, life can be grueling, agonizing even, for long periods of time.

But despite life’s unpredictable ups and downs, we can still be securely grounded in God’s peace. Because, like my supervisor, we know the end of the story. We know who “wins.”

Revelation, the Bible’s final book, lifts the curtain on that spectacular finale. After the final defeat of death and evil (20:10, 14), John describes a beautiful victory scene (21:1–3) where God makes His home with His people (v. 3) and wipes “every tear from their eyes” in a world with “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (v. 4).

On difficult days, we can cling to this promise. No more loss or weeping. No more what-ifs or broken hearts. Instead, we’ll spend eternity together with our Savior. What a glorious celebration that will be!

By:  Adam Holz

Reflect & Pray

How can the hope of heaven give you strength? How might your favorite “happily ever after” story echo Revelation 21?

One day God will soothe every hurt, heal every wound, and wipe away every tear.

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

All rested and ready to take on the new week?

[mylife]

Salute, PFC West.

[mylife]

VFW report: Sadly I informed some I am leaving the post, not because I want to but because I must.
I can no longer live in Tx alone, I need assisted living and my brother has offered to take me in.

Onto the better bits, Cowboys party today and pool tournament.
We had ham, enchilada casserole, cowboy beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, rolls, peach cobbler, cookies and things I am sure I missed.

I will miss my friends at post 4011

[PROCON]

Thanks Kathy for honoring tonight's Hero, PFC West!

I marvel at his bravery and love for his fellow soldiers.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Ernest E West~

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[Jet Jaguar]

Sorry to hear that. You take care.

[mylife]

It is what it is.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...any drier weather today so you could venture out?

We actually got a full inch of rain yesterday and overnight! WOOHOO!! Finally...and maybe more later this evening and overnight...and the next couple of days.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Salute indeed! Good evening, my.

[luvie]

Thanks for another wonderful biography of
one of our Great American Heroes! 🇺🇸

Ernest E. West
Medal of Honor Recipient.

I salute him!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, my, for the report. It is a tough decision you must make. So glad you will be able to be with your brother.

Hoping you are able to attend a new post closer to where you will be living.

Be sure you keep in touch as you can. ((HUGS))

[mylife]

We remarkably have 2 WWII vets at our post GI Jay and GI Joe.

I got Jay to taking the other week.
The man should write a book.
He never did tell me how he got the bronze star, but he landed on Omaha beach.
The Germans had all the beach fortified with wood and wires and had machinegun nests in bunkers to mow them down.
Our guys launched torpedo’s right onto the beach, blowing away the fortifications and Jay ran through the breech.

[mylife]

We have a lot to sort through but I have no family here.
I have a Mom, Aunties, Uncles, 2 Brothers and all up there.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Your radar looked mighty good last night. I hope there was significant rainfall, especially where the fires have been burning foreeeeeeevvvver.

[luvie]

VFW report: Sadly I informed some I am leaving the post, not because I want to but because I must.
I can no longer live in Tx alone, I need assisted living and my brother has offered to take me in.

Oh, my dear friend! I hate to hear this news. You will be soooo missed at our annual get-togethers and other side trips that we have made. You are loved.

[mylife]

I will miss you too.