James Edward West, Jr
Lance Corporal
E CO, 2ND BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Norfolk, Virginia December 22, 1947 to May 31, 1968 JAMES E WEST Jr is on the Wall at Panel W62, Line 19 |
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I just want to show the world that they have lost a most wonderful human being. Our family has never fully recovered, though my parents have since joined you. I am left here, the only one left from my "immediate" family, to remember you and know that you are with loved ones. I cannot imagine losing a child, grown or not. But losing you, my little brother, has been devastating. Your loving sister June Austin225 Robert Street, Chesapeake, Virginia jl1rl1aus@aol.com |
A Note from The Virtual WallAt the end of May 1968 the 1st Bn, 1st Marines was preparing to be withdrawn from the Khe Sanh area, while 2nd Bn, 3rd Marines were conducting road clearance and security patrols along Highway 9 south of the combat base. On the night of 29/30 May Echo 2/3's night defensive position was attacked, and during the following day the company's patrols had several contacts. The 1/1 Marines were directed to detach a company to assist 2/3; Bravo 1/1 was selected for the mission.On 31 May Echo 2/3 encountered a large entrenched NVA unit and Bravo 1/1 was directed to move to reinforce Echo 2/3. NVA practice was to establish ambushes along likely routes for reinforcements, and they did so on this occasion - Bravo 1/1 found themselves in a sharp fight with NVA troops dug in along the road. Instead of a single fight with two companies of Marines up against the original foe, there were two engagements separated by several hundred meters of jungle. The weight of US supporting arms gradually worn down both NVA elements, which withdrew toward the Laotian border several kilometers to the west. By the time the fighting stopped, the Marines had lost 25 men and had a considerable number of wounded. The dead were
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