Their Story
Remembering James Edward West.
Private First Class James Edward West was born on 30 June 1947 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
He served in the United States Marine Corps with Mortar Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force, in Vietnam. He died on 10 September 1966, at the age of 19.
PFC West was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon, together with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. His name is inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., at Panel 10E, Line 85.