The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Radford Carter West (MCSN: 0-5570), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer and Deputy Commander of Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-THREE during action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 31 July to 10 December 1950. An outstanding leader and administrator, Lieutenant Colonel West diligently applied his distinctive abilities in organizing and supervising the Group Staff in combat, and in rendering invaluable assistance to the Group Commander in the performance of his many duties. As Deputy Commander, he served in an advisory capacity to the pilots of his group and personally led them in aerial attacks against enemy positions. Working long hours under the most adverse conditions, he organized and directed the establishment of a combined airbase operational unit at Yonp’o Airfield, Korea, to service and control the many tactical and transport aircraft operating therefrom, thereby providing excellent air support for friendly forces in the Chosin Reservoir Area. By his outstanding leadership, professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty throughout, Lieutenant Colonel West upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel West is authorized the Combat “V”.)
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
April 4 – June 10, 1945
Heroes U.S. Marine Corps, 1861 – 1955: Jane BlakeneyThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Radford Carter West (MCSN: 0-5570), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as night operations officer for the Air Defense Command and Fighter Command on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, from 4 April to 10 June 1945. Lieutenant Colonel West, by virtue of unceasing energy and great professional knowledge and skill in handling all night fighter aircraft, succeeded in so indoctrinating the night fighter pilots operating in the Ryukyus area that forty enemy aircraft were destroyed by them. Despite adverse conditions of bat weather and frequent enemy air attacks, he continually managed the operations of night fighter aircraft in a highly efficient manner, thereby materially contributing to the success of a most difficult operation. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelRegiment:
Marine Aircraft Group 33Division:
1st Marine Aircraft WingAction Date:
October 6, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel Radford Carter West (MCSN: 0-5570), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Tactical Air Coordinator of Marine Aircraft Group THIRTY-THREE, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 6 October 1950. Assigned the mission of executing deep air support attacks against assembled enemy installations in the vicinity of P’yongyang, Lieutenant Colonel West skillfully directed the attack from an extremely low altitude and personally made numerous passes while subjected to fierce hostile anti-aircraft fire. By his courageous leadership, professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty, he aided directly in destroying three enemy tanks repair buildings, seven vehicles and three tanks and in damaging other hostile installations and equipment, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.