Dallas Arnold West

Specialist Four
DELTA CO, 3RD BN, 22ND INFANTRY, 25 INF DIV
Army of the United States
25 September 1947 - 12 June 1968
Edgewater, Maryland
Panel 57W Line 005

25 INF DIV

22ND INF RGT
Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Dallas Arnold West

07 Jun 2006

I think of West almost every day. I got to Vietnam on 4-1-68 and when I got to my unit I was handed the M-60 as my weapon. On June 12 we were ambushed and I was called up front. As I got there West asked me for the M-60 so I was lying shoulder to shoulder as he fired and I fed the weapon. In what seem less than 1 minute West was shot in the head. I called out his name but he didn't answer me so I started shooting the M-60. Then I was called to another area and the sergeant took my M-60 and started firing and again I was the assistant gunner. In less than a minute we were hit by a grenade but he got the brunt of it. After that we were told to pull back. To this day I still feel quilty that West died in my place. If I remember correctly he had a wife, kids and had about 45 days left. My pysch tells me it was not my fault since I was obeying orders, but that still doesn't cut it with me. My PTSD gets worse in June because of this and June was a very bloody month for our unit. I just want his family to know that in my opinion he died a hero. I cannot believe that no-one has placed a memorial for this great soldier. Rest in peace, my brother.

From a Vietnam buddy,
Al Martinez
120 Asch Loop Apt 17d, Bronx, New York 10475
E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

D Company, 3/22nd Infantry, lost two men killed in the action described above - SP4 Dallas West and CPL James L. Lawrence of Sylva, NC, a medic attached to Delta 3/22.




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 07 Jun 2006
Last updated 08/10/2009