The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 15 September 1970. Lieutenant Colonel West distinguished himself while serving as Commanding officer of the 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), during a hostile mortar attack at Fire Support Base BLITZ, Republic of Vietnam. Heedless of the heavy volume of impacting mortar rounds, Lieutenant Colonel West left the safety of the tactical operations center in an effort to reach a gun position which was not returning effective fire because of damage sustained by the initial enemy barrage. As Lieutenant Colonel West moved through an exposed area, he received painful shrapnel wounds from an impacting mortar round. Despite his wounds, he continued on to the gun position where he reorganized the crew and began directing fire which silenced the enemy mortars. With the help of his radio-telephone operator, Lieutenant Colonel West attended to the wounded and refused evacuation until the last of his men were removed to safety. Lieutenant Colonel West’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Office of the Deputy Commander in Chief, U. S. Army, Europe, from 1979 to 1981. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General West and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 2d Regiment, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, from 1975 to 1977. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General West and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Regiment:
502d Infantry RegimentDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1970 – 1971
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Battalion Commander, 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1970 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel West and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the Department of the Army, in 1981. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General West and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding General, Military District of Washington, and Commanding General, Fort Belvoir, from 1989 to 1991. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General West culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Arvid Emerson West, Jr., United States Army, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commandant, TES, from 1988 to 1989. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General West and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.