Ernest E. West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ernest E. West
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Medal of Honor recipient Ernest West in 2009
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| Birth name | Ernest Edison West |
| Born | September 2, 1931 Russell, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 2021 (aged 89) Greenup County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1950 – 1953 |
| Rank | Private First Class |
| Unit | 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Ernest Edison "Ernie" West (September 2, 1931 – May 1, 2021) was a United States Army soldier. He was a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart, for his actions in the Korean War.
Early life
West was born on September 2, 1931, in Russell, Kentucky. He was drafted from Wurtland in 1950.
Korean War and Medal of Honor
After his unit was ambushed near Sataeri on that day, he ran through heavy fire to rescue his wounded commander, Capt. 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. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor just over a year later, on January 29, 1954 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Death
West died on May 1, 2021 in Greenup County, Kentucky at the age of 89.
Images for kids
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West stands with two other Medal of Honor recipients shortly after receiving their medals from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. From left: Edward R. Schowalter, Jr., West, Eisenhower, and William R. Charette
